Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has issued strict instructions to police and administrative officials to ensure security and maintain essential services during the upcoming festivals of Diwali, Dev Deepawali and Chhath Puja. The directives include enhanced security arrangements, uninterrupted electricity supply, improved sanitation and action against those spreading rumours or attempting to disrupt public order.
During a video conference meeting on Tuesday, the Chief Minister reviewed the state's law and order situation and preparations for the upcoming festivals. He directed police and administrative officials to remain alert and ensure that celebrations proceed without disruption. He also ordered enhanced security arrangements at markets, temples and other crowded locations.
To ensure smooth arrangements during Diwali, Chhath Puja and Dev Deepawali, Adityanath instructed administrative officials to discharge their responsibilities with utmost seriousness. Leave for officers and employees responsible for maintaining law and order, from the state government level to tehsil and police station levels, has been cancelled with immediate effect.
The Chief Minister directed officials to ensure that residents do not face difficulties in accessing essential services, including electricity, water, sanitation and transport. He also instructed authorities to ensure 24-hour electricity supply across the state during the festive period and continuously monitor arrangements in their respective jurisdictions.
The state government has also directed police authorities to maintain round-the-clock surveillance of social media platforms during the festivals. Adityanath instructed officials to take immediate legal action against individuals attempting to disturb public order by circulating false information or spreading rumours.
Adequate police deployment will be ensured at major temples, religious sites and sensitive locations. In view of the expected increase in crowds at markets during Dhanteras and Diwali, police patrolling has also been ordered to be intensified. CCTV camera systems in markets and commercial areas must remain operational.
The Chief Minister also reviewed preparations for the Deepotsav event scheduled to take place in Ayodhya on November 7. A large number of devotees and tourists are expected to attend the event, prompting instructions to complete traffic management and security arrangements in advance.
Officials have been directed to inform the public beforehand about routes where vehicle movement will be diverted due to crowd management arrangements. The advance communication is intended to help visiting devotees and local residents navigate the affected areas.
Adityanath also instructed officials to ensure compliance with safety regulations governing the sale of firecrackers during Diwali. Firecracker shops must be established only in open spaces, while temporary storage facilities must be located away from densely populated areas to reduce the risk of fire-related incidents.
Officials have also been asked to complete the process of issuing licences and No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to firecracker traders on time.
The Urban Development and Panchayati Raj departments have been directed to conduct special cleanliness drives in cities, villages, slum areas and residential colonies.
In view of the expected increase in passenger numbers during the festive period, officials have also been instructed to operate additional buses. Action will be taken against private bus operators if complaints are received of arbitrary fare collection.
Apart from reviewing festival preparations, the meeting also addressed difficulties faced by farmers in obtaining fertilisers.
The Chief Minister expressed displeasure with officials in several districts over complaints concerning the availability and distribution of urea and DAP fertilisers. District magistrates have been directed to be held accountable for complaints reported from Ghazipur, Ballia, Bahraich, Bijnor, Ambedkar Nagar, Sultanpur and Lakhimpur Kheri, among other districts.
Adityanath directed officials to register FIRs against those involved in hoarding fertilisers, deliberately creating shortages or charging prices above the prescribed rates.
He also instructed authorities to maintain transparency in the Public Distribution System (PDS) and take strict action against those involved in short-weight distribution.
The meeting also addressed pending medical reimbursement bills of retired employees, with instructions to settle them at the earliest.
Additionally, officials have been directed to ensure that outsourced employees and Anganwadi workers receive their honorariums before the festivals.
