Rain harvesting is good for boosting agriculture and water resources both: CM Yogi Adityanath

Yogi Adityanath pitches for rain harvesting

TNN & Agencies | Lucknow, Apr 10, 2017

The clearance for construction of a house in Uttar Pradesh will be given only if there is a provision of rainwater harvesting facility in the map.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath+ , while going through the presentations of the Urban Development Department which went on till late last night, directed officials that provisions should be made that a map of a house is passed only if it has the rainwater harvesting facility mentioned.

Expressing concerns over the depleting groundwater level, he suggested rainwater harvesting as a remedial measure.

The chief minister+ said that the intention of his government is to ensure that people of the state do not face shortage of drinking water.

He directed the UP jal nigam officials to ensure that the benefits of various government schemes reach to the doorsteps of the needy. The CM, during the meeting, instructed the officials to ensure that drinking water is available at all places, and if needed, then the handpumps may be bored again.

Read details here.

Courtesy: TOI.

Not singing Vande Mataram is serious issue : Yogi Adityanath.

Not singing Vande Mataram is serious issue, it only highlights one's prejudiced mind: Yogi Adityanath

Zee Media Bureau | Lucknow, April 10, 2017

UP CM Yogi Adityanath breaking his silence for the first time on singing of 

Vande Matram issue said that people are extending this issue for no reason.

Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said that not singing the National Song is a 

serious issue, adding that by doing so it only highlighted one's prejudice.

Adityanath breaking his silence for the first time on this issue said that 

people are extending this issue for no reason.

"We want to see development in this country, but our issue of conflict is 

over  not singing the National Anthem and National song. Not singing 

Vande  Mataram shows a prejudiced mind. This is a matter of concern," 

Aditynath said at the book unveiling function of 'Governor's guide' here.

The chief minister's comments come after a controversy has erupted 

over singing Vande Mataram in Varanasi and Meerut Municipal 

corporations.

Read details here.

Courtesy: Zee News.

Nothing wrong in Hindu Rashtra concept: UP CM Yogi Adityanath.

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath says nothing wrong with Hindu Rashtra concept, BJP defends him.

HT Media | Lucknow | April  6, 2017:: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath endorsed the Hindu Rashtra theory on Thursday, saying there’s nothing wrong with such a move if that serves the interests of the people and country.

Right-wing groups led by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) have been pitching to make India a Hindu nation, a hugely debatable topic in a constitutionally secular country of 1.2 billion people of different faiths.

“Hindu Rashtra ki awadharna kahin galat nahi hai … desh ki full bench ki Supreme Court ne iss par apna aadesh jaari kiya hai yeh. Hindutva koi mat, koi majhab ya upasana vidhi nahi hai. Balki it’s a way of life (There is nothing wrong in the Hindu Rashtra concept. The Supreme Court has defined Hinduism as a way of life.),” monk-politician Adityanath said in an interview to Doordarshan.

[In a free-wheeling and frank chat with DD News’ Ritu Verma, Adityanath spoke on a range of issues related to his nearly 60 snappy decisions related to BJP election manifesto encompassing loan-waiver for farmers, illegal slaughter  ban, security for girls and women and development of UP; within a span of 18 days since he assumed office. -Ed. HE].

He said no one should have a problem in accepting a Hindu nation if such a move helped people live a better life and brought joy to them.

The BJP defended Yogi’s remarks saying that the chief minister had not said anything wrong.

“For far too long we have been pseudo-seculars who frowned upon anything that is Hindu. What’s wrong in the CM’s statement? He said that he would follow the path of peace and progress. Hinduism has always stood for peace,” state BJP general secretary Vijay Bahadur Pathak said.

Adityanath, a five-term parliamentarian and head priest of Gorakhnath mutt in Gorakhpur, was appointed chief minister last month after the BJP won an unprecedented 325 seats with its allies in the February-March assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh.

“Main kisi ke mooh par tape nahi laga sakta … mujhe jo karna hai pradesh ke hit main kaam karna hai (I can’t shut people up. I will continue to work for the people.),” he said, responding to a query on negative reports in international media about his image of being a champion of Hindutva.

“My guide is the Modi government at the Centre. It’s my inspiration. I will follow that.”

His Hindu Rashtra line underscores the views of the RSS, the BJP’s ideological mentor.

The Sangh, however, explains that its Hindu nation theory has more to do with the country’s name Hindustan — a far-reaching social movement, rather than a restricted religious concept.

Read details here.

Courtesy: HINDU EXISTENCE.

Meat ban, anti-Romeo squads not targeted at a community: CM Yogi

Those who abide by the law have no reason to worry: Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath.

TNN | Lucknow |  Apr 7, 2017

 Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath has dismissed criticism that the decisions to crack down on illegal slaughterhouses and set up anti-Romeo squads were targeted at a community, but asserted that he would not flinch from enforcing the law.

"Those who abide by the law have no reason to worry. But those who don't believe in the rule of law ought to be worried," the CM said in a conversation with TOI at his official residence.

He also said anti-Romeo squads were meant to save girl students from harassment which forced them to discontinue studies. The chief minister said he has taken measures to ensure that consenting adults are not harassed. "People are committing no crime if they are sitting in a park or are moving together," he said. But he justified the concept of the squads. "Let us not take our eyes off the harassment that girls of all communities have to endure," he added.

The CM also outlined his plans for education and said English would be taught at the nursery stage itself instead of from Class VI, as was the case so far. When told that this was, given his image as a Hindutva hardliner, counter-intuitive, the CM smiled and said, "I believe tradition and modernity should blend."

A confident Yogi said his government would never take decisions based on considerations of community, but stressed his determination to ensure that promises made in BJP's UP manifesto are implemented.

"I told this to a delegation which had come to protest against the measures taken against illegal slaughterhouses. They agreed with me that we have not framed any regulation and that what has been done was only meant to ensure the enforcement of what was already the law, guidelines issued by the National Green Tribunal and the Supreme Court's order. I asked them to point out a single thing that we have introduced and they could not," the CM said.

Read details here

Courtesy: TOI.

As per law, Action against illegal abattoirs: CM Adityanath.

Action against illegal abattoirs as per law, says Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath.

TNN | New Delhi,  Apr 4, 2017

A defiant Uttar Pradesh CM Aditya Nath Yogi rejected criticism of his government's decision to shut down illegal slaughter houses+ and regulate meat trade, and said he was merely trying to enforce the law and there was no prejudice involved.

"I am doing nothing on my own. The National Green Tribunal in 2015 and the Supreme Court in 2017 have given many adverse observations on illegal butcher houses in the state and gave certain directions to the state. We have just followed those instructions. You cannot call illegal as legal," Yogi told RSS weekly 'Organiser'.

He asserted that clear instructions were issued not to disturb those who had licences and were following norms. "No legal operator will be harassed, I can promise you that. Moreover, nobody can be allowed to play with the health of people of the state," Yogi said in his first interview to any publication after he took over UP's reins.

Read details here.

Courtesy: TOI.

Anti-saffron gangs have misconceptions about my Hindu look: Yogi Adityanath.

‘Misconceptions’ due to my ‘saffron-clad look’: CM Adityanath.

PTI | New Delhi | April 3, 2017:: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath has said “misconceptions” have been created about him due to his saffron-clad look and promised to win hearts of “all sections” by spreading a new idiom of happiness and prosperity.

He also said those who have been “insulting” India’s traditions in the name of secularism are feeling threatened after he assumed office.

“Many misconceptions are created about me. Many people say I am saffron-clad, so there are many in the country who are averse to saffron,” Adityanath said in an interview to RSS affiliated weekly ‘Organiser’.

He said, those who were insulting India’s tradition and culture in the name of secularism and appeasement are feeling threatened after he took office.

“We will win hearts of all sections of people with our style of working. We would spread a new idiom of happiness and prosperity,” the 44-year-old Adityanath, considered a Hindutva hardliner, said.

Interview :: We strive for crime and corruption-free UP: Yogi Adityanath

विशेष साक्षात्कार:: होमवर्क हो चुका, अब बस निर्णय : योगी आदित्यनाथ 

Noting that for him power was not for fun and frolic, he said, “We are not in politics to run after prestigious positions and posts.”

Listing out the priorities of his government, Adityanath said protection of “rashtra” (nation) will be the main “dharma” (religion) of his government. “This is focal point of humanity. In UP we would provide corruption-free administration and rid the society of goonda raj,” he said, adding plans have been made and their impact will be visible in the next two months.

Read also: UP lays down strict guidelines for meat business and 17 rules UP meat sellers must follow.

A new industrial policy will be in place to check migration of people from the state and it would make sure that 90 per cent of the employees in any industrial unit were from within Uttar Pradesh, he said.

Read details here.

Courtesy: HINDU EXISTENCE.

New work culture in UP under Yogi effect.

Uttar Pradesh Government offices wake up to new work culture.

Shailvee Sharda| TNN | Lucknow |  Mar 30, 2017

Officialdom in the city of nawabs is beginning to give up its nawabi habits.

Its bureaucrats are gradually substituting paan and gutka with chewing gum and toffees. And they're beginning to arrive at work on time. At 9.30am on Wednesday, there was no place to park the car on the main campus of the secretariat.

"Full attendance hai, Sahib... babu log kaam chalu kar diye hain... isliye parking full hai," remarks a guard at gate number 7. This was not so barely 10 days ago, in a place infamous for set-piece replies like, "Sahib lunch ke baad ayenge (sahib will arrive after lunch)", and "Aao chalo chai pi ke aate hain (come, let's go for a cup of tea)".

A peon at the secretariat was pulled up on Wednesday by a bureaucrat as soon as he fished out a pouch of "paan masala", and was reminded of the ban on chewing tobacco+ in government offices. The man sheepishly returned the pouch to his pocket.

Another employee, a peon in the new Vidhan Bhavan building, said gutka and paan masala lovers were switching to chewing gum and toffees. "The best part is people no longer throw the wrapper around, they put it into their pockets," he said.

The state forest department has even put up posters in its corridors that say "Aap camere ki nazar mein hain. Gutka khane par Rs 1,000 fine lagega (you're on camera. Chewing gutka will attract a fine of Rs 1,000)." Most office premises appear cleaner. Corners stained with paan and gutka spittle have become history.

Attendance is up after the CM Yogi Adityanath+ urged bureaucrats to be ready to work 18-20 hours a day, warning them not to take home official files. A biometric attendance recording system for government offices is also in the offing.

"Whether my room has been cleaned properly or not is the first thing that I see," said UP minister of state for water resources Upendra Tiwari. He makes sure he reaches office before 9.30 am and has directed his staff to ensure that files are kept in order and that no dust is allowed to settle.

UP Cabinet minister SPS Baghel has directed his staff to give up chewing paan masala. In other offices, ministers are trying to set examples.

Read details here.

Courtesy: TOI.

'UP Meat Traders Support CM Yogi Adityanath'

UP Meat Traders Support CM Yogi Adityanath, Says Minister After Meeting

NDTV Online Desk / LUCKNOW/ March 30, 2017 

Days after the crackdown on illegal slaughterhouses, the striking meat traders of Uttar Pradesh had a meeting with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath this evening. While the four-day old strike was not immediately called off, the traders hinted at a positive decision, saying an announcement will be made after internal meetings.

After the meeting, state minister Siddharth Nath Singh said the meat traders have supported the Chief Minister and said as citizens of India it was their "duty" to see that nothing illegal is allowed.

The meat traders have been on a strike in protest against the police action, which allegedly didn't spare traders who were selling chicken and fish. After a chorus of protests and media reports, the Chief Minister had clarified that action was to be taken only against slaughterhouses that were operating illegally -- without proper permissions.

The government's move has found support from the All India Meat Association, which has hailed the Chief Minister for following his "raj dharma".

"Meat traders were subjected to injustice by the BSP and SP governments," Haji Shakeel Qureshi, the representative of All India Meat Association and All India Meat and Livestock Exporters' Association  was quoted as saying by news agency Press Trust of India.

"The new chief minister is following his raj dharma (the duty of a ruler), and it is wrong to comment on the one who is pursuing his raj dharma... He is trying to bring the system back on track and needs to be thanked," he said.

Action, he said, is being taken only against illegal slaughterhouses and there is no report of action against any legal abattoir, he said.

Courtesy: NDTV.

CM Yogi Adityanath’s first address to Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha.

Yogi Adityanath’s first address 

to Vidhan Sabha as UP CM.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addressed the state assembly for the first time since taking oath as the CM.

FE Online | March 30, 2017, Lucnow

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addressed the state assembly for the first time since taking oath as the CM. Addressing the Vidhan Sabha, Yogi Adityanath said that no community in the state would be discriminated against as the government and the opposition will work united, towards public welfare. He further also congratulated independent MLA, Hriday Narayan Dixit on becoming the speaker of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly. He then spoke to the BJP MLAs and ministers in the state and their use of the red light on government vehicles. Adityanath acknowledged that these leaders were in charge of the 22 crore people of Uttar Pradesh and thus were entitled to a few privileges but they were to use these privileges with caution.

He said that the government officials and ministers could use the red light on their vehicles for official purposes but not when they were travelling with their family or for personal use. He further said that the public representatives must use the power and privilege allotted to them by the government with care and caution. He further added that no family or friends of these government officials, ministers, MLAs etc would interfere in the government activities in the state. Before coming to the Vidhan Sabha for the address, the CM had met with all BJP leaders and asked them not to strongarm the police or the public. The police have also been asked to stay away from commenting on social media.Although Yogi Adityanath’s ascension to the throne of the Chief Minister of the largest state in India came as a surprise/shock to many, the CM, since taking his oath has set upon a path to fulfil all the poll promises that Bhartiya Janata Party had made during the election campaign. Although certain promises such as the ban on illegal slaughterhouses and the introduction of Anti-Romeo squads have received a mixed response from the public. All the slaughterhouse owners in the state have gone on an indefinite strike after the government implemented the ban. Similarly, the Anti-Romeo squads have been accused of moral policing despite senior police officials’ repeated warnings.

Read details here.

Courtesy: Financial Express & Zee News.