Criticising the previous Samajwadi Party government for neglecting the development of Sonbhadra, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday said that the region (Sonbhadra) which was full of natural resources, remained underdeveloped since independence and the people continued to suffer from scarcity of water due to the apathy of the former regime.
“Despite the region having many rivers, it was synonymous with drought. The place which was a leader in power generation remained enveloped in darkness. The region suffered due to the neglect of the previous government. However, the double engine government addressed the problem of water scarcity and as a result, 'Har Ghar Jal Yojana' was implemented,” Yogi said on Tuesday while laying the foundation stone of a medical college to be built at a cost of Rs 250 crore in Sonbhadra.
Apart from the medical college, the chief minister also launched nearly 79 development projects worth Rs 514 crore during Jan Vishwas Yatra in Sonbhadra.
On the occasion, Yogi said that the Bharatiya Janata Party government was working on a war-footing to supply pure and clean potable water in Sonbhadra and adjoining areas by 2022.
“The quality of water would be similar to that of RO water and will be essential in improving the health of the people residing in the Sonbhadra region. When the government lives up to public trust, then the significance and gravity of Jan Vishwas Yatra doubles,” he remarked.
Lashing out at opposition parties, the chief minister said, “This Yatra is being taken out to reply to the anarchy of the previous governments. Our government will provide Rs 500 to labourers, workers, porters, palledars and street vendors whether they are registered or not. In addition, our government has also raised pension payouts for senior citizens, widows and specially-abled people.”
Hailing the efforts of ASHA, Anganwadi, ANM workers, gram pradhans (village representatives) and panchayat members in controlling the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, Yogi said that their honorarium had also been increased.
“Under the Ayushman Scheme for medical treatment, nearly six crore people are being given assistance of Rs 5 lakh annually. Now, 3.5 crore workers are also being added to it. Soon, the government will also connect ANMs, ASHAs workers, street vendors among others to the scheme,” the chief minister said.
Launching a scathing attack on Samajwadi Party, Yogi said that the difference between the previous government and the present government was clear.
“Before 2017, curfews were imposed during the festive season. The common man was not even allowed to celebrate festivals with peace. The previous regimes did not respect the religious sentiments of people. However, Uttar Pradesh has been transformed in the span of less than five years. There used to be riots in Sonbhadra too, under previous regimes, food grains never reached the needy as they were swallowed by the mafias, who ruled the state,” he asserted.