Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya chaired a comprehensive review meeting with administrative officials of all departments in Bareilly, directing authorities to ensure efficient governance, farmer welfare, improved public services and stronger implementation of development schemes.
Reviewing compliance with directions issued during his previous meeting in April, Maurya instructed officials to ensure hassle-free procurement of farmers’ produce and said farmers should not face difficulties in transporting soil from their own fields for personal use. He emphasised that no action should tarnish the government’s image and urged officials to treat both farmers and party workers with respect.
The Deputy Chief Minister directed traffic police to avoid unnecessary harassment of commuters and encouraged the distribution of free helmets to promote road safety. He also called for strict action against the spread of misinformation on social media.
With the ongoing Shravan month and Kanwar Yatra, Maurya instructed officials to ensure peaceful pilgrimage arrangements, including medical facilities, security, separate accommodation and sanitation facilities for women devotees. He also called for beautification of Nath temples and city landmarks, with awards for the best decorations. Temporary traffic diversions imposed during the festival should be withdrawn promptly after the festivities, he added.
Maurya asked officials to examine complaints regarding toll plazas on national highways allegedly being located closer than prescribed norms and submit a factual report for possible action at the state level. He also directed departments to expedite road projects under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, maintain quality standards in ongoing works, and complete toilet construction in government primary schools.
Highlighting women’s economic empowerment, the Deputy Chief Minister praised Bareilly’s initiative of engaging Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to supply hospital bedsheets, pillow covers and operation theatre uniforms. He described the initiative as a commendable model and directed officials to submit it to the state government for replication across Uttar Pradesh. He also suggested training SHG members to stitch school uniforms under the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme, creating additional livelihood opportunities for women.
Maurya instructed officials to take strict action against influential individuals illegally removing boundary markers or encroaching on public land, village pathways and grazing land. He also warned private hospitals against charging beneficiaries under the Ayushman Bharat scheme and directed officials to ensure Ayushman cards are issued to all eligible citizens aged 70 years and above.
Reviewing the Har Ghar Jal Mission, he said villages should not be declared saturated unless every household receives a reliable supply of safe drinking water. He also directed officials to ensure the timely completion of PM Awas Yojana houses, maintain water levels in Amrit Sarovars during the monsoon, and provide rehabilitation before removing encroachments involving economically weaker families.
Maurya further instructed officials to hold monthly coordination meetings with local public representatives at the tehsil level, share the schedule of weekly Gram Chaupals with elected representatives, and conduct village cleanliness drives a day before each Gram Chaupal to strengthen grassroots governance.
The meeting was attended by Forest and Environment Minister Arun Kumar, Bareilly Mayor Umesh Gautam, District Panchayat Chairperson Rashmi Patel, legislators, senior BJP leaders, Divisional Commissioner Bhupendra S. Chaudhary, District Magistrate Avinash Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police Anurag Arya and other district officials.
