Yogi’s 1st big decision, Free ration scheme for 15 crore people in UP

In the first big decision a day after a grand oath ceremony, Yogi Adityanath on Saturday extended Uttar Pradesh’s free ration scheme for three months for 15 crore people of the state.

UP will spend ₹3,270 crore for the scheme. “In the cabinet meeting today, we have decided to extend the free ration scheme for the next three months. It will benefit 15 crore people of the state,” the chief minister was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

The chief minister held his first cabinet meeting on Saturday morning after the state saw a mega oath ceremony on Friday that was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, union ministers, and chief ministers of the BJP-ruled states among other top leaders. The Atal Bihari Vajpayee cricket stadium saw a 70,000 plus crowd.

With the latest move, the BJP aims to keep a focus on pro-poor governance in the Yogi 2.0 regime. Also, in the new state cabinet, focus has been on balancing caste and regional equations with an eye on the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The 52-member team is heavy on OBCs and Dalits. While 20 ministers are OBCs, 9 are Dalits. Upper castes, another unfailing support base, also see 21 representatives.

A total of 22 ministers who served in Yogi’s cabinet in the earlier regime have now been dropped. The new cabinet has a total of 31 new ministers.

The chief minister on Friday told his council of ministers to make UP the number-1 state.

Keshav Prasad Maurya, who has been appointed as the deputy chief minister again despite losing his seat, on Friday said: “Now, under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we will work even harder to help the poor and will approach 2024 with the mission to win 75 plus seats.”

Yogi Adityanath is the first Uttar Pradesh chief minister in 37 years who has been sworn-in for a second term.