Varanasi: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath said the govt is providing flood victims with relief packages weighing around 50 kg, contrasting it with the previous Samajwadi Party regime, during which even 500 grams of relief material failed to reach the needy.Addressing a public meeting in Pankaha village following distribution of relief articles among the flood-hit families in Ballia, the CM said relief meant for the poor was earlier siphoned off by people linked to the SP, while his govt was ensuring immediate assistance, including housing, during disasters.“Currently 26 districts in the state are affected by floods. So far, about 1.71 lakh people have been affected and 251 villages have been inundated. More than 1,000 people have been kept in safe places and flood shelters. For relief and rescue operations, 447 flood outposts have been activated. He said that the government’s top priority is to save people’s lives and provide them assistance on time.The CM accused the SP of aligning with Congress and betraying Jayaprakash Narayan’s ideals, citing the JPNIC project in Lucknow as an example of alleged misuse of public funds. Yogi claimed the JPNIC cost rose from Rs 200 crore to Rs 864 crore and was still incomplete, alleging SP leaders tried to control it through a family-linked committee and treat it as personal property.Comparing today’s UP with the pre-2017 SP govt, Yogi said that the state is now reached the age of `One District, One Medical College’ from `One District, One Mafia’ era.Yogi announced that the budget to establish a medical college in the name of Maharshi Bhrigu had been sanctioned for Ballia. He took a jibe at his predecessor by mentioning that the SP govt kept promoting goons and mafia in the state. “There was a time when Uttar Pradesh was known for a situation like `One District, One Mafia’ while under the BJP led double engine govt, the state is moving towards `One District, One Medical College’”, said Yogi.During SP rule, a situation of unrest, tension and fear used to be created before festivals, he said, adding that citizens, traders and daughters now feel safe and celebrate festivals fearlessly.Attacking the opposition parties, he said that those trying to be the well-wishers of youths should introspect their regime when the safety of daughters and traders was compromised as criminals and mafia received political protection. Yogi said that after coming to power, the BJP govt broke the backbone of the mafia by putting them either behind bars or sending straight to hell.Regarding medical college proposed for Ballia, Yogi said that the state govt’s aim is to provide better health facilities in every district so that people do not have to rush to big cities for treatment.He said the foundation stone of the medical college in Ballia would also be laid soon. Once established, the medical college will benefit people of the district and nearby areas by providing specialist doctors, modern diagnostic facilities and improved medical services, Yogi added.He said he was earlier scheduled to visit Ballia for the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the medical college, but in view of the flood situation, he decided to first reach out to the affected people.Earlier, Yogi conducted an aerial survey of flood-affected areas in Ballia and distributed relief material among the people. He said that villages affected by erosion and waterlogging in Bansdih, Ballia and Bairia had been inspected. He assured that no flood victim would be allowed to face hardship. The govt is in constant touch with public representatives and the administration. Through video conferencing, officials have been instructed to ensure that there is no shortcoming in relief, rescue and rehabilitation work.He directed the administration to ensure arrangements for relief material, safe shelters, clean drinking water, medicines and fodder for animals. Medical teams have been kept active in flood-affected areas to prevent water-borne diseases, said Yogi adding, the government stands with the affected families during this disaster and that negligence at any level in relief work will not be tolerated.In Ballia, he said, the flood and erosion situation remains serious in the Bansdih, Bairia and Ballia Sadar assembly constituencies. To combat erosion, he said, embankments will be constructed and strengthened to reduce loss of life and crop damage. An effective action plan with a permanent solution will be prepared for the safety of farmers and continuity of farming.He said injections and vaccines are available to deal with snakebite and dog bite cases. Separate arrangements are being made for livestock losses and pregnant women.
