UP govt may hold cabinet meet for 2019 Ardh Kumbh preparations

The Uttar Pradesh government may soon convene a cabinet meeting in Allahabad especially to draw a comprehensive road map for the upcoming 2019 Ardh Kumbh Mela.
"A cabinet meeting may soon be convened in Allahabad especially for the Ardh Kumbh scheduled to be held in the Sangam City in 2019," UP deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya told reporters.
Maurya also exuded confidence that by October 2018, all the works pertaining to 2019 Ardh Kumbh would be completed.
Earlier this month, UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath had reviewed preparations for the massive Hindu congregation to be held in the Sangam city, where he had said 12 crore pilgrims were are expected make to visit in 2019.

Maurya also mentioned that the party would implement its Lok Kalyan Sankalp Patra in letter and spirit. "If Gita and Ramayan are considered to be sacrosanct, we also consider the Lok Kalyan Sankalp Patra sacrosanct. And, it will be implemented," he told reporters.
The deputy CM said the government has decided to purchase potatoes from farmers for Rs 487 per quital. "The trend among the UP potato farmers is that they go to other states, as they get better price," he said.

He also termed the crop loan waiver as a "historic decision" of the Yogi Adityanath government. "The UP government will break the nexus of officials and contractors. Due to this

nexus, most of the works were completed only on papers and there were widespread anomalies in payments," he observed, and said the state government will not hesitate in initiating probe in this regard.
The deputy CM was also of the view that e-tendering is being introduced in order to keep the criminal elements away from undertaking government contracts.
Maurya, who is also the UP unit chief of the BJP, today completed one year in office said the party is observing this year as 'Gareeb Kalyan Varsh' to mark the birth centenary of its ideologue Deendayal Upadhyay.
The deputy CM, who also holds the Public Works Department portfolio, said the government will be giving NOCs to speed up road construction.

"By June 15, all the roads of UP will be made pot-hole free. On spot inspection will be done after monsoon to ensure that the roads remain pot-hole free even after the monsoon is over," he said.
He also mentioned that the law and order situation in the state is improving. The government is also focusing to improve the energy and food processing sector in the state.
"In the last 70 years optimum assistance from the Centre was never sought by the various state governments," Maurya remarked.
On the issue of posting of new DGP and Chief Secretary, the deputy CM asked reporters to "have patience". Maurya also made a reference to a new technology being used by the PWD in construction of roads using the debris of the old road as raw material.