No VIP culture in Yogi 'raj', UP CM Adityanath says no to red beacons

Lucknow: Saint-politician Yogi Adityanath, who began his new innings as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh with a pledge to work without discrimination, has decided not to promote the VIP culture during his tenure. 

According to Financial Express, the Chief Minister has issued orders on Monday that no minister in the state government will be allowed to use the red beacons atop vehicles.

Reiterating his government's commitment to fight corruption, Adityanath had asked all the ministers in his cabinet to provide details of their income, moveable and immovable assets within 15 days.

During a meeting with Uttar Pradesh Police chief Javeed Ahmed, the Chief Minister expressed concern over the killing of a BSP leader in Allahabad last night.

He, it is learnt, also ordered the UP DGP to come up with a blueprint for better policing in the state within 15 days, after consulting with police officers of all districts.

He is expected to meet principal secretaries of all departments later today.

“As uprooting corruption is the main agenda of our party, the CM in his first introductory meeting with his ministers directed them to give details of their income, moveable and immovable properties with 15 days to the (party) organisation as well as the secretary (to CM),” Cabinet Minister Srikant Sharma said.

Earlier, during a meeting with top state officials, Yogi Adityanath had issued clear instructions to ensure that public order across the state is maintained and that it should not be disturbed in the name of celebrations.

"Utsav ke naam par upadrav nahin hona chahiye (Public order should not be disturbed in the name of celebrations)."

Yogi Adityanath said this while interacting with senior administrative officers, including Chief Secretary Rahul Bhatnagar, Principal Secretary (home) Debashish Panda and DGP Javeed Ahmed, who called on him at the VVIP Guest House, where Yogi is staying.

The saint-politician also instructed the officials to ensure law and order is maintained and directed the officials to ensure the celebrations by enthusiastic party workers did not take toll over peace and normal public life in the state.

The 44-year-old BJP leader also reportedly cited a recent case that took place in Bareilly where some people tried to paint slogans and allegedly tried to hoist a flag atop a place of worship leading to tension.

Notably, Punjab's newly-appointed Chief Minister Amrinder Singh had too decided to ban the use of beacons on government vehicles, foreign travel of ministers for two years (except where it is so mandated or provided under a bilateral agreement or arrangement) and hosting banquets at state expense in a bid to end VIP culture in the state.