Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath Yogi has banned the use of gutkha, paan masala and paan in Government offices, hospitals and educational institutions with immediate effect and also asked officials to ban use of polythene in offices.
The directives were given after the Chief Minister inspected Shastri Bhawan (Annexe) on Wednesday.
On the third floor, the CM was shocked to find paan stains on the walls and immediately asked accompanying Chief Secretary Rahul Bhatnagar to ban the use of paan and gutkha in office compounds. later, paan masala was also added in this list.
“You should maintain cleanliness in the offices. Until you keep offices clean, how can you ask others not to litter on streets. These stains (of paan) are nauseating,” Yogi told a group of employees during inspection.
Yogi said: “You must have read that the Government is observing cleanliness week. Tell your juniors to keep their surroundings clean. Inculcate the habit of keeping your surroundings clean and spread this message down.”
“I will carry out inspection again. Do not treat it as a ritual. I am particular about cleanliness,” he told officials.
Yogi was also perturbed about dangling electric wires. “This is a big invitation to tragedy,” he said pointing at the wires on the fourth floor. The CM suddenly entered the washroom and checked the wash basins there.
“What about arrangements of drinking water,” he asked Bhatnagar. “Employees should get RO water. Rich can afford mineral water but what about those who cannot afford bottled water. Ensure RO machines are working properly,” the CM said.
It was Yogi’s first visit to the Annexes. Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya accompanied him to Shahstri Bhawan. He was also surprised to see stack of files gathering dust. “Are not all records digitised here,” the CM asked the Chief Secretary and ordered him to maintain records within a week’s time.
The CM also ordered that departmental review meetings and presentation be held on the fifth floor of Shastri Bhawan between 6 pm and 10 pm.