After distributing ration cards carrying his picture Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav is set to make entry into over 1 crore houses across state as government has plans to distribute plates and glasses having his pictures in state run schools during Dhanteras – on October 28.
A senior official told The Pioneer on Friday that Basic Education Department has procured over 1 crore plates and as many glasses to be used during mid-day meal in state run schools. “These plates and glasses would be distributed on Dhanteras on October 28 at the district level,” he said
Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav will distribute these plates and glasses in one of the schools in a district, which will be decided later. But the district officials and the Basic Shiksha Adhikari have been asked to make preparations at the district level. local leaders would be roped in to make this function a success, he said.
The decision to distribute plates and glasses were taken around three months back. At the same time Government had decided to distribute free school bags among the students. These bags too have pictures of Akhilesh Yadav on it.
“The CM wanted this scheme to start early but the whole process was delayed because of delay in procuring these plates. Three firms were short listed and were asked to supply these plates by October first week. We have received the consignment and it is being sent to the districts,” the official said.
This is probably first time Government will distribute plates and glasses to the students to eat mid-day meal. Till now students are asked to bring their plates. Now on, these plates would be used by students and then would be kept under the custody of the principal.
The high point of this scheme is of having Akhilesh’s picture engraved on these plates. Government believes with CM’s pictures on the plate students will know who is Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. Akhilesh had faced an embarrassment when during an inspection in a school in Rae Bareli students of class IV said Rahul Gandhi was CM of Uttar Pradesh. Majority of them failed to even recognize him.
CM faced similar predicament when he was told by villagers that they did not know who the real benefactor of people oriented schemes like Samajwadi Pension Yojana is. After that CM got his picture printed in ration cards and the bags in which food grains were being distributed under Food Security Act.
CM defended this saying: “What’s wrong having pictures of CM on ration cards and bags. People should know who is extending this help to the people.”
The plate distribution with CM’s face engraved on it is just extension of same line of thought.