Yogi's Zero tolerance against Corruption

It is a known fact that all major reforms and progressive steps face some hurdles both from within and outside the government. Apparently, the same seems to be taking place in UP. The stern actions of Yogi Adityanath against incompetence and corruption seem to have unnerved some of his cabinet colleagues. The developments in UP hint that many politicians have not been able to adapt to the fast-changing style in the functioning of the government. The status quo Ministers have been left wanting by the quick and decisive actions of CM Yogi.

Zero tolerance against Corruption

UP CM Yogi Adityanath is known to be a hard taskmaster. He follows the policy of Zero tolerance towards corruption and incompetence. Contrary to the past, he has strict rules for his colleagues and doesn’t compromise with efficiency and productivity of the Ministry. To strictly enforce better productivity of his government, he has been taking action against corrupt and incompetent officials.

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The strict action was repeated again when five officials of the Public Works Department (PwD) were suspended at the directions of UP CM. The suspended officials include PwD Head and Chief Engineer Manoj Gupta. The action was taken on allegations of irregularities in transfer postings. Prior to that, PwD Minister Jitin Prasada’s OSD Anil Kumar Pandey was removed over allegations of irregularities and corruption. It was alleged that there were irregularities in the transfer of 350 department officials. After this, an inquiry committee was set up and its report prompted this action. These drastic actions on the PwD have irked the Minister. Reports suggest that he is headed to Delhi to BJP’s high command regarding this matter.

Lucknow, UP | A total of 5 officials including the Public Works Department (PWD) Head & Chief Engineer Manoj Gupta suspended due to transfer irregularities in the department. This is after the action was taken on PWD Minister Jitin Prasada's OSD Anil Kumar Pandey on July 18.
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) July 20, 2022

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Additionally, there are reports that claim Deputy CM and Health Minister Brajesh Pathak is also miffed at the issue of his officers not paying heed to his directions. He has been frequently taking inspections of hospitals. Following this, he directed his officials to make the necessary changes. The officials didn’t abide by his directions. After this, without the prior knowledge of the health Minister, there were slew of transfers within the ministry which prompted him to lodge his complaint to the UP CM Yogi Adityanath. This led to a wide investigation of transfer postings in all ministries.

In addition to the two top cabinet Ministers Jitin Prasada and Brajesh Pathak, there are media reports that claim MoS Jal Shakti Dinesh Khatik has resigned.

CM Yogi’s response on these developments

Hinting at the corruption in transfer postings in the PwD department, CM Yogi advised his Ministers and colleagues to not “blindly trust” department officials and staff. He suggested that the Ministers should keep an eye on their office and staff. He advised that the Ministers should work with full honesty and transparency. They should also be aware of what their staff is doing. CM gave this advice at a meeting of the Council of Ministers.

अपने स्टाफ पर आंख मूंद कर भरोसा न करें मंत्री: मुख्यमंत्री श्री @myogiadityanath जी महाराज pic.twitter.com/HwbAuA5BPS
— Yogi Adityanath Office (@myogioffice) July 20, 2022

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All these swift and decisive actions of UP CM on the staff of his own Ministers re-emphasises the commitment to zero tolerance against corruption and incompetence. This also establishes that, UP CM doesn’t hesitate to rise above politics of optics and party politics. Allegations of corruption invites the same swiftness from the UP government which in all manners is the trait of Raj Dharma. However, it highlights a trait of some politicians who follows the saying – ‘No matter how great the decision is, if it doesn’t have our final ascent then we will oppose it tooth and nail.’ Ministers and leaders who have come from other ideological parties should adapt quickly to the fast-changing political scenario. As the time for status quo and officers keeping Ministers in dark and indulging in corruption is over.