Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has issued directives to the district officials to arrange bonfires and blankets for the poor so as to protect them from the biting cold that has set in across the state. “The budget has been allocated to each district. It is responsibility of the DMs to organise bonfires and blankets for the poor and homeless,” Yadav said in a statement issued here on Tuesday.
Government spokesman said that officials have been asked to light bonfires at public places at prominent city junctions like bus stands, outside railway stations and important crossings of the state. He said that government has allocated Rs 1.70 crore for bonfires and Rs 17 crore for purchase and distribution of blankets among poor. “Any laxity on the part of officials will not be tolerated,” the spokesman said.
Meanwhile, state unit of Bharatiya Janata party has questioned CM’s claim of distribution of blankets and lighting of bonfires in cities. “How can Government distribute blankets when it has not yet purchased it,” BJP spokesman Vijay Bahadur Pathak said in a written statement. He said many deaths have been reported in Banda, Hamirpur, Orai and Chitrakoot in last few days. “Where are those blankets CM has promised to give to poor. Where is the bonfireIJ The fact is CM has made announcements but officials have ignored CM’s appeal,” he said.