Taking a jibe at the opposition INDIA block, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Tuesday that the ‘Khata-Khat’ people’ once again disappeared for a ‘picnic’ as soon as the elections concluded.

Speaking at the appointment letter distribution event for 1,036 candidates selected through a fair and transparent recruitment process by the Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Service Selection Commission at the Lok Bhavan Auditorium, the CM said: “During the Lok Sabha elections in April-May, you might have heard about the ‘Khata-Khat’ scheme. People were required to sign bonds of Rs one lakh each with a promise of receiving Rs 8,500 every month.”

“Elections concluded and Khata-Khat people are nowhere visible; they vanished for a picnic. When the election season arrives again, these same individuals will return with new deceptive ideas to sow seeds of division and unleash chaos in society,” the CM said.

Yogi emphasised that today, securing a government job in Uttar Pradesh is possible without needing any recommendations or quid pro quo.

“For the past seven and a half years, our government has been issuing appointment letters to the youth in strict adherence to reservation rules,” Yogi said.

Highlighting the differences in recruitment statistics between previous and current administrations, the CM noted that between 2012 and 2017, the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Selection Commission completed appointments to 26,394 posts, with 13,469 positions filled by general candidates, 6,966 by OBC candidates, 5,634 by SC candidates, and 327 by ST candidates.

The percentage of OBC candidates during this period was only 26.38%, he noted.

“In contrast, under the current administration, the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Selection Commission has conducted 46,675 recruitments. Of these, 17,929 OBC candidates were selected, representing 38.41%,” he pointed out.

“Combining OBC, SC, and ST candidates, over 60% of the appointees under the double-engine government belong to these categories,” he added.

Yogi said that during the previous government, a total of 19,312 candidates were selected between 2012 and 2017 through the Subordinate Services Selection Commission, whereas under the double-engine government from 2017 to 2024, over 42,409 youth had been selected.

“Our government has issued appointment letters to these candidates in strict accordance with the reservation system established by the Constitution. Today, these individuals are actively contributing to the state’s development. The recruitment process is now being conducted transparently and fairly,” the CM said.

Issuing a stern warning, CM Yogi stated that anyone jeopardising the future of the state’s youth under the double-engine government would face severe punishment, setting an example for the nation and the world. He added that those sitting idle were spreading rumours and misleading the youth.

Highlighting the significant changes since 2017, Yogi remarked, “Previously, the youth of Uttar Pradesh faced an identity crisis, with the state’s economy ranked sixth or seventh in the country. Today, when Uttar Pradesh youth travel to other states, they proudly identify themselves as being from Uttar Pradesh. The state’s economy now ranks second nationally, showcasing the best economic progress compared to any other state.”

He also noted that the resolutions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi were being rapidly implemented.

“Uttar Pradesh is now among the leading states in effectively executing schemes meant for the farmers, women, and the poor. Under PM Modi’s guidance, appointment letter distribution programmes are being regularly conducted as part of Mission Rozgar in the state,” he added.

CM Yogi distributed appointment letters to a total of 1,036 youths, including 536 assistant research officers (statistics), 235 assistant statistical officers, 213 junior assistants, accounting clerks, mandi supervisor category-2, mandi inspectors, 15 draftsmen/cartographers, and 37 cartographers.

These appointments were made through a fair and transparent recruitment process conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission.

The appointed individuals will serve in various departments, including Medical Health and Family Welfare, Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Mandi Parishad, Fisheries, Economics and Statistics Division, Cooperative, Town and Country Planning, Tourism, Minor Irrigation, and Institutional Finance.