Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday said that security is the primary need of society and establishing the rule of law is the state government’s top priority.
He said that every individual, businessman, and woman must feel secure, adding that his government has produced tangible results in this direction. He noted that the people of Uttar Pradesh have consistently endorsed these efforts.
The CM made these remarks while participating in the discussion on the supplementary budget on the last day of the winter session of the state assembly on Wednesday. The House later approved the supplementary budget.
Launching a scathing attack on the opposition, the Chief Minister said that under previous governments, state power had bowed to the mafia and criminal elements.
Referring to the Puja Pal case, he said that the government at that time lacked the courage to deliver justice, while his administration has ensured that justice is delivered in accordance with the law, without considering any party or group.
He clarified that justice would be ensured for every woman, irrespective of which party she belongs to. The Chief Minister added that he had also assured Vijma Yadav of full security from the government.
Taking a dig at the Samajwadi Party, the Chief Minister questioned whether its leaders had ever advised their own government, when it was in power nearly nine years ago, to rein in the mafia and criminal activities.
He taunted the opposition with a couplet, saying, “Don’t talk about this and that, tell us how the caravan was looted,” adding that the public has already given its answer to this.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that the government’s policy against the mafia has been clear and strict, and it has been implemented effectively on the ground. He said that economic development is not possible without strong political will and better law and order, and his government has made security the cornerstone of development.
Referring to development works, the Chief Minister said that before 2017, the state’s roads were full of potholes, and metro rail projects had become a joke. Due to a lack of coordination with the central government, no concrete efforts were made to connect rail and road transport. He said that at that time, they had to depend on the Congress due to coalition compulsions.
The Chief Minister informed that before 2017, there were only one and a half expressways in the state, while now this number has increased to 22. Nearly 60 percent of the country’s total expressways are in Uttar Pradesh.
He said that the highest number of airports, the largest rail network, and robust infrastructure have become the hallmarks of Uttar Pradesh today, which is a result of the balance between law and order and development.
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly and SP leader Mata Prasad Pandey launched a sharp attack on the state government over the supplementary budget. He said that if the Chief Minister reviews the budget periodically, the government would be able to know in a timely manner how much budget is available with each department.
He reminded that earlier district-level committees were formed to recommend budget allocations, a system that has since been discontinued by the government. He demanded that this mechanism be restored.
Mata Prasad Pandey made these remarks while speaking during the discussion on the supplementary budget. He said that bringing a supplementary budget is not wrong, but it cannot be called very good either. All possibilities should be seriously considered while preparing the budget, as it is a long-standing and established tradition.
Mata Prasad Pandey said that this time, a provision of about Rs 24,000 crore has been made in the supplementary budget, while the government has received approximately 30 percent less revenue compared to the estimates made in the original budget.
He alleged that the government wants to spend more money on publicity and propaganda instead of development works. When there is a budget deficit, work is carried out by spending small amounts of money.
Referring to the Housing Development Department, he said that while permission was given to spend approximately 80 percent of the allocated budget, the sanctions have not yet been issued according to the original budget.
Raising the issue of compensation for natural calamities, he said that after the money is released, it is distributed by the Tehsildar, but due to budget constraints, people do not receive timely assistance and are forced to approach political leaders. He demanded that the Revenue Department be allocated its full budget to ensure timely assistance to those in need.
Mata Prasad Pandey said that calamities often strike the homes of the poor rather than the rich. Therefore, the government should take special care of the poor and ensure sufficient resources for relief and rehabilitation.