Welcome leaders with clean environment, not garlands: UP CM

People should ensure a clean environment when a senior politician visits their place rather than welcoming the leaders with garlands and bouquets, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said today.

Addressing BJP workers at the inaugural session of the party's state executive meeting here, Adityanath said this novel idea will lead to a new culture.

"The last strata of the society will join you (BJP workers). If you walk 10 steps with them, they will be willing to walk 20 steps with you," he said.

He also hailed the team spirit of his ministerial colleagues.

Taking a dig at the working style of the previous state government (led by Samajwadi Party), the priest-turned politician said, "After the BJP came to power in UP, there is a 'halchal' (flutter) around the CM's office. Earlier after lunch time, there were no activities."
 

The 44-year-old saffron clad CM said the decisions which could not be taken in two years, were being taken in a span of two hours under the present dispensation.

He said the BJP-led state government would ensure the 'tehsil diwas' do not remain a mere formality, but observed as 'Sampoorna Samadhan Diwas', "wherein all certificates are issued to people under one roof on a single day."

Adityanath said the UP government may rope in private doctors to tackle the shortage of doctors at community and public health centres in the state.

He also urged party workers to take up the cause of energy conservation, energy efficient lights (LED lights) and spread awareness about Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan.

Referring to the Central government's 'Namami Ganga' programme, the chief minister laid stress on reviving river culture. He also directed the officials to ensure that the pledge for cleaning Ganga at 985 villages was administered.

"We have got Rs 4,000 crore aid from the Centre, and in the 2019 Ardh Kumbh scheduled to be held at Prayag (Allahabad), you will find pure and clean water of the Ganga and able to experience the difference," Adityanath said.

Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya said 2017 will be observed as 'Garib Kalyan Varsh', the birth centenary year of Bharatiya Jana Sangh leader Deen Dayal Upadhyay.