Lucknow: With only a few months left before the notification for the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday announced major welfare measures for farmers and women.He said the state govt would soon unveil a special package for farmers who have suffered losses due to natural disasters and adverse climatic conditions. Another initiative announced by the chief minister is the launch of Annapurna Canteens at mandis, where farmers will be able to access subsidised meals.A third key announcement was a special package for women aimed at promoting self-reliance. While the CM did not reveal details of either package, he said both would be launched soon.
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Speaking at an event where he distributed free LPG cylinders to 1.98 crore beneficiaries of the Ujjwala Yojana ahead of Diwali, Yogi said Annapurna Bhojanalayas would also be set up at labour hubs being developed for construction workers.“It is our government’s endeavour that every individual gets an opportunity to live with security, dignity and self-reliance. Every citizen should feel they are part of the state’s journey towards development and prosperity,” he said.The chief minister said climate change, El Niño and cyclonic activity had exposed farmers to challenges such as excessive rainfall, drought and hailstorms. Standing crops had been damaged twice in the past fortnight due to heavy rain and storms, he said.While govt was already providing immediate relief, a larger special package benefitting nearly three crore farmers was being planned, he added.Referring to the proposed women’s package, Yogi said govt wanted to ensure women lead lives marked by security and dignity. The initiative, he said, would focus on making them economically self-reliant.Urging women to pursue their aspirations, he said govt would support them in every endeavour.“Every woman should be able to stand on her own feet, educate her children and support her family. There was a time when women could not step out of their homes alone in the evening. Today, they are working night shifts in industries,” he said.Tuesday’s event was held under a state govt scheme that provides two free LPG refills to Ujjwala beneficiaries every year, one ahead of Diwali and another before Holi. The scheme entails an additional annual expenditure of Rs 1,500 crore for the state govt.The CM alleged that during the Congress regime, people had to pay bribes even to obtain LPG connections. Recalling the launch of the Ujjwala scheme by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2016, he said the PM wanted to reduce the hardships faced by women by ensuring access to clean cooking fuel.“It is good governance when the benefits of govt schemes reach every section of society without discrimination. A recent World Bank report has said that 46 crore people in India have moved above the poverty line and are now able to lead normal and happy lives,” he said.Yogi also targeted the Congress and the Samajwadi Party, alleging that their tenures were marked by corruption and scams. He credited Modi with restoring public trust through clean governance.“It was because of this trust that Uttar Pradesh elected a BJP govt in 2017,” he said.Claiming that law and order had improved significantly, Yogi said before 2017, riots and curfews were common and festivals could not be celebrated freely.“Markets remained deserted and people stayed indoors. Today, nobody dares to harass a girl on the road because they know strict action will follow. Nobody can extort traders and businessmen, and there is an atmosphere of confidence and festivity,” he said.Yogi said a self-reliant women’s population would help make Uttar Pradesh self-reliant and contribute to the vision of a Viksit Bharat.
