Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to ensure foolproof security, cleanliness, traffic management and public amenities across the state ahead of the upcoming Deepotsav, Diwali, Chhath and Dev Deepawali celebrations. Taking a tough stand against potential law-and-order disturbances, he warned that any attempt to disrupt festive celebrations or disturb communal harmony would invite stringent action.
Reviewing the state’s law-and-order situation and festival preparations through a video conference on Tuesday evening, the Chief Minister ordered the cancellation of leave for all officers and employees, from the state headquarters to tehsil and police station levels, with immediate effect.
Adityanath directed the police and administration to adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards anti-social elements. He also ordered round-the-clock monitoring of social media platforms to prevent the spread of rumours, misleading information and provocative statements, with immediate legal action against those attempting to disturb public peace.
Reviewing preparations for the grand Deepotsav scheduled in Ayodhya on November 7, he stressed that the safety and convenience of devotees and tourists must remain the top priority. Authorities were instructed to prepare comprehensive traffic diversion plans in advance and widely publicise them. Adequate police deployment was also ordered at major temples and sensitive religious places.
In view of Dhanteras and Diwali, markets and commercial establishments will remain under round-the-clock police surveillance. Intensive foot patrols and functional CCTV cameras have been made mandatory. Senior officers have been asked to conduct field inspections, while Police Response Vehicles (PRV-112) must remain continuously active.
The Chief Minister also emphasised fire safety, directing that firecracker shops and temporary storage facilities be established only at open, designated locations away from densely populated areas. Fire departments have been instructed to remain on high alert with adequate fire tenders and life-saving equipment.
Urban Development and Panchayati Raj departments have been directed to undertake special cleanliness and street-lighting drives across urban and rural areas. Regular sanitisation and anti-larval fogging must be ensured, with no accumulation of garbage, waterlogging or damaged roads. Uninterrupted electricity and adequate supplies of safe drinking water must also be maintained throughout the festive period.
The Transport Department has been asked to operate additional buses and take strict action against unfit and unauthorised vehicles. Complaints of excessive fares charged by private bus operators must be addressed through immediate punitive measures.
The Chief Minister also reviewed public welfare and employee-related issues. He directed officials to ensure transparency in the Public Distribution System and take exemplary action against complaints of underweight ration supplies. Pending medical reimbursement claims of retired pensioners must be cleared on priority, while honorariums of outsourced employees and Anganwadi workers must be transferred to their bank accounts before the festivals.
Emphasising farmers’ interests, Adityanath instructed district magistrates to closely monitor the availability of urea and DAP fertilisers. Those involved in hoarding, creating artificial shortages or selling fertilisers above prescribed prices must face immediate criminal cases and strict action.
He further directed that paddy procurement centres operate transparently and sensitively, ensuring that farmers face no inconvenience during the weighing and sale of their produce. No farmer should be forced to return without selling their crop.
The high-level review meeting was attended virtually by the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, divisional commissioners, district magistrates, police commissioners and senior administrative and police officials from across Uttar Pradesh.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=RtToJsBhYBatUrym&v=mOuYNSdhjHA&feature=youtu.be
