A surprise choice as chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, who completes one month in office on Wednesday, has begun on a promising note. His pro-active approach in attending to the problems of the people is a clear departure from the past. Decisions taken by his government have largely been welcomed by the people, though some have proved to be controversial too.

Yogi’s greatest contribution during the past 30 days has been the introduction of a new work culture in the moribund state bureaucracy. In the process it has succeeded in awakening a sense of hope and optimism among the people at large. Soon after assuming office, the chief minister made it known that his approach towards governance would be a pro-active one. And he wasted no time in acting on the same. Predictably, the bureaucracy was rattled as it had got used to a different style of functioning all together.

Late evening presentations of their respective departments by bureaucrats (which in many instances extended well into the wee hours of morning) had been unheard off during the past many years in state governance. With a head of state who knew how to crack the whip, the bureaucracy had no choice but to shed off its somnolency. The chief minister’s sharp questioning during the course of the presentations, the fixing of accountability and more importantly time frame on decisions taken has gone down well with people at large.

The Yogi has matched the whip cracking by a reciprocative performance from his head too. His Janata darshans, held at 5, KD Marg are a much awaited event by people who have been running from pillar to post for redressal of their grievances or for seeking justice for a wrong meted out to them.

Not only the Janata darshans, the CM did not hesitate to undertake an on the spot inspection of departments or of ongoing projects such as the Gomti River front. His ministers followed suit. Surprise checks by ministers of their departments are being routinely heard off, as also of officials being pulled up for incomplete work.

If the ministers are keeping the officials on their toe, the CM is doing the same to his cabinet colleagues. Reportedly, many were reprimanded for failing to declare their assests within the 15 days time frame fixed by him. This was a major decision taken by Yogi shortly after he assumed office. The erring ministers have now been given three days time to declare their assests.

But not all has been hunky dory in the 30 days of Yogi Adityanath taking over as chief minister. Some decisions of his government have drawn flak such as those relating to the anti Romeo squad or the closure of illegal slaughter houses.

Within two days of assuming office, the CM , keeping in view the promise made in the BJP manifesto (Lok Kalyan Sankalp Patra), announced the constitution of the anti-Romeo squads. The announcement predictably evoked a mixed response from the youngsters. While it was welcomed in large measure by the fairer sex, the `Romeos` were ill at ease with the decision. The over drive of the police force and the moral authority it assumed in picking on young boys and girls was outrightly condemned.The CM had to personally step in to clarify that the squad was meant for protecting girls and the police should desist from rounding up couples sitting in parks or other places.

While the heat over the anti Romeo squad has abated, the government’s decision on the closure of illegal abattoirs shows no sign of abating. The licenced meat sellers are feeling the heat. The impact of the drive resonated even on popular and famous eateries. For the first time Tundey kababi shut shop as did many others. Restaurants selling non vegetarian dishes observed closure for 10 days as protest against the government’s decision. Owners of abattoirs and meat shops did not shy from alleging that the government’s decision had adversely impacted their livelihood, with some blaming the government for bringing them on the verge of starvation. The issue continues to hang fire.