Predicting that Uttar Pradesh would become one of the most progressive states of India, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that his new team of ministers had the potential to extend the benefits of government schemes to the targeted beneficiaries in a fast and transparent manner.
“All the new members of the council of ministers are experienced and have excelled in their political careers. The party and the government has given them a new responsibility. The person who will fulfil the responsibility earnestly will grow in stature,” Yogi told reporters after his meeting with the newly-inducted ministers.
Twenty-three ministers took oath of office and secrecy in the expansion of Yogi Adityanath’s ministry here on Wednesday. Of these six are of cabinet rank, six are ministers of state with independent charge) and 11 are ministers of state.
The Chief Minister held a closed-door meeting with the newly-inducted ministers and asked them to implement the policies of the state government in letter and spirit.
“We discussed different issues. All of these people are experienced and I asked them to use their experience for the betterment of the state and the country,” Yogi Adityanath said.
He said that some of the ministers were promoted for their exemplary work. He specifically mentioned Mahendra Singh, who has been elevated as Cabinet minister for winning 12 national prizes, including for making UP number 1 in the country in implementation of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and taking the state to number 1 position from 23rd position in MGNREGA schemes.
“Other ministers who are ministers of state with independent charge, like Suresh Rana, have been promoted for clearing cane dues worth Rs 72,000 crore and taking initiative in reopening of closed mills. Similarly, Bhupendra Singh Chowdhary has done exemplary work in Panchayati Raj for which he has been elevated,” the Chief Minister said.
Yogi Adityanath also spoke about Anil Rajbhar and Ram Naresh Agnihotri.
Elaborating on the achievements of his government, the Chief Minister said in the last two and a half years, the government had ensured that the public distribution system (PDS) worked efficiently in a transparent manner as a result of which over 1,500 crore beneficiary got wheat at Rs 2 per kg and rice at Rs 3 per kg.
“Infrastructure has been built through robust networking of roads under which district headquarters have been connected with 4-lane roads. Expressways are coming up in a big way. In 2016, the bid for Purvanchal Expressway was finalised at Rs 15,200 crore while our government is making the same expressway at Rs 11,800 crore. This expressway will be made operational on August 2020 while construction of Bundelkhand Expressway will start from October,” the Chief Minister said.
He said air connectivity has also increased making UP a most accessible state by road, air and train. “This is the reason why investors are ready to invest in UP,” the Chief Minister said.
