Lucknow: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday expressed strong displeasure over reports of “misleading videos” being circulated about schools and colleges from certain districts. He has directed administrations to file FIRs against those who, he alleged, are spreading false and misleading information to disturb the atmosphere.In a review with senior officials, the CM said that on-site inspection of mid-day meals, toilets for boys and girls, and the condition of classrooms should be conducted immediately.The state govt will allow women to travel for free, along with one companion, in all UP State Road Transport Corporation buses from the night of Aug 27 to the night of Aug 28 to mark the festival of Rakhi.The CM said that anti-Romeo squads should be kept active to ensure women’s safety. Also, he said that bus drivers should be monitored closely so that they do not drive under the influence of intoxicants. Verification of private bus drivers will also be done.The CM also reviewed the waterlogging and flood situation in the state. He especially focused on the divisions of Prayagraj, Varanasi, Lucknow, Kanpur, Gorakhpur, Meerut, Saharanpur, Ghaziabad and Noida. The CM said that low-lying areas should be identified and additional pumping should be arranged where waterlogging is taking place. Drains have to be cleaned up immediately, he said.The CM directed senior officials to personally visit the field to assess the situation and resolve any crisis immediately. Officials have been asked to enforce the ban on single-use plastic. He also directed the principal secretary of the urban development department to ensure 24-hour monitoring of all 762 urban local bodies in the state from the headquarters level.The CM has directed all mayors and chairpersons of municipal councils and nagar panchayats to visit the field along with local councillors to inspect waterlogging and cleanliness arrangements. “Encroachments on drains, wherever found, should be identified and proper arrangements should also be ensured for street vendors so that civic facilities are not affected,” he said.Reviewing the situation in 19 flood-affected districts, the CM took details about relief work from the DMs. He said all control rooms should be operational 24×7 while relief should reach every flood-affected family.He said that special attention should be paid to areas affected by river erosion and sensitive locations should be identified with necessary action taken to protect people and agricultural land from erosion. People whose homes were damaged in the floods should be provided land pattas (deeds) and housing under the CM’s housing scheme. In view of the human-wildlife conflict situation in Bahraich, directions were given to increase patrolling and take other necessary action.
