
Kashi must rank among top 5 cleanest cities: CM Yogi
2
Varanasi: On Thursday, as Varanasi Municipal Corporation secured 17th place among 4,589 civic bodies across India in the ranking list of the 2024 cleanliness survey released by ministry of urban affairs, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath set the task of bringing the city into the top five list.
While reviewing ongoing development projects and law and order scene during a meeting with public representatives and officials at the circuit house on Thursday evening, Yogi said, "Varanasi should not lag in cleanliness and must be among top five clean cities. The municipal commissioner must conduct regular cleanliness drives."
Reviewing progress in ongoing development work, Yogi emphasised rapid completion of running projects in the district.
Ordering commencement of road widening work in Dalmandi immediately after monsoon, Yogi instructed officials to identify suitable locations for shifting religious sites affected by road widening through discussions with locals and to ensure their proper establishment.
Executing agencies must complete work on time or face action, he said, directing to increase manpower if required for timely completion of projects.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
No annual fees for life
UnionBank Credit Card
Apply Now
Undo
He also directed impartial and timely resolution of public grievances received through various channels. Special emphasis was placed on the 'One Tree in Mother's Name' plantation campaign and river restoration efforts.
Yogi instructed for widespread publicity of new building bylaws introduced by state govt, using social media, digital media and seminars.
To make Varanasi TB-free, he directed the chief medical officer to take all necessary steps, involve public representatives and aim for complete eradication by Nov-end.
Electricity department was instructed to ensure uninterrupted power supply. District basic education officer was directed to achieve 100% enrolment in primary schools, ensure no school is without teachers, and prioritise the availability of school bags, shoes, socks and uniforms for all children.
During review of law and order, Yogi instructed to monitor closely all fake accounts on social media and deal strictly with those creating disturbances.
He called for identifying and taking strict action against elements inciting caste discord, anarchy, or disrupting law and order. He directed strengthening local intelligence and police beats to take concrete actions to curb illegal liquor and drug trafficking in border areas.
District magistrate Satyendra Kumar made a presentation on progress in ongoing projects and the flood situation. As many as 64 major projects worth approximately Rs 15,000 crores are underway, with the Kazakpura flyover expected to be completed by Sep 2025.
Police commissioner Mohit Agarwal made the CM aware of preparations for the Shrawan month, law and order, traffic management and various police operations. ADG Zone Piyush Mordia provided details on preparations during Shrawan, CCTV surveillance, patrolling, public hearings at police stations, ongoing campaigns against cattle smugglers and action against liquor mafias.
UP ministers Swatantra Dev Singh, Anil Rajbhar and Ravindra Jaiswal, and mayor Ashok Tiwari were present among others.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


India.com
28 minutes ago
- India.com
No Rafale or F-35! Army Demands Rs 1.12 Lakh Cr Defence System, Gets Only Rs 36,000 Cr
New Delhi: After Operation Sindoor, India's defense upgrades are speeding ahead like a bullet train. With over Rs 3 lakh crore being pumped into military modernisation, the government is on a mission to acquire or indigenously develop fighter jets, submarines and advanced missile systems. One by one, big-ticket purchases are being cleared, and the pace is relentless. Earlier this month, the Ministry of Defence approved military procurements worth over Rs 1 lakh crore in one go. Among them, Rs 44,000 crore has been set aside for 12 Mine Counter Measure Vessels and Rs 36,000 crore has been sanctioned for six regiments of the Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile system, better known as QRSAM. These six QRSAM regiments will be split evenly between the Indian Air Force and the Army. But here is the twist. This is only a fraction of what the armed forces actually asked for. The Army had demanded 11 regiments. What they got was only three. The Air Force's separate demand? Also unmet. If both services were to receive the full complement, 11 regiments each, the total cost would have soared to Rs 1.12 lakh crore. But the government stopped short. Enter the 'Baby S-400' Apart from being a missile defense system, QRSAM is being nicknamed the 'Baby S-400'. India already has three operational regiments of Russia's S-400 system and expects two more by next year. But defense planners know that S-400s and indigenous Akash systems alone cannot transform the country into a secure fortress. The threat matrix has changed. China is watching, and so is Pakistan. And they are not standing still. Operation Sindoor proved India's air defense muscle. But it also exposed gaps, ones that Pakistan tried to exploit through waves of drone incursions, many supplied by Turkey and China. Hundreds were launched. All were neutralised. But the lesson stuck – air defense needs to be multi-layered, relentless and everywhere. That is where the QRSAM fits in. Designed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), it is built to intercept fighters, drones and helicopters within a 30 km radius. Not as long-range as the S-400's 400 km or Akash's 100-200 km reach, but perfect for quick and short-range airspace protection in dense threat environments. More importantly, it's Indian-made, fast, precise and combat-ready. Not Enough for a Fortress At Rs 6,000 crore per regiment, scaling up to the Army's full demand alone would cost Rs 66,000 crore. Add the Air Force's likely mirror request and you are staring at a Rs 1.12 lakh crore bill. Expensive? Yes. But what is the price of making the skies over India completely off-limits to 5th-gen fighter jets, drones, cruise missiles or worse? With full deployment, India's air defense would shift from deterrence to denial. Nothing would be able to breach the perimeter. During Operation Sindoor, India's air defenses held. But in military planning, holding is never enough. The military is not asking for luxury, it is asking for survivability. Against future drone swarms, supersonic fighters or long-range missile salvos, six regiments are just a start. If the government greenlights the remaining 16 regiments, the Army and the Air Force both, it would send a message that India is preparing. And once QRSAM rings the nation's skies, even the birds will need clearance to fly.


Time of India
42 minutes ago
- Time of India
‘Well of change': Expert panel proposes targeted welfare schemes
Hyderabad: The expert committee on the Socio-Economic, Educational, Employment, Political, and Caste Survey (SEEPC) has proposed the implementation of targeted welfare schemes tailored to the varying levels of backwardness experienced by different communities. To illustrate this concept, the committee offered a compelling analogy: envisioning a govt-dug well that serves as a central water source. Instead of allowing every household unfettered access to the well, regardless of their specific needs and capabilities, it would be more effective to install pipelines that deliver water directly to each home. This approach ensures that resources are allocated based on actual requirements, allowing the most disadvantaged communities to receive the necessary support while promoting a more equitable distribution of welfare benefits. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad In its executive summary, the committee drew this analogy, opining that the index serves as a powerful tool to enable a shift toward targeted welfare initiatives. Rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach to social schemes, the govt can now design and implement welfare programmes specifically tailored to the unique needs of different communities. The report also noted that even among the marginalised communities, the degree of backwardness is relative. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pirates Climb Aboard Cargo Ship - Watch What The Captain Did Next Tips and Tricks Undo Therefore, it is important to adopt target-based schemes to address these differences effectively. As the comprehensive 300-page report detailing the backwardness index is set to be tabled before the cabinet for a discussion, deliberations are expected on whether the report should be presented in the assembly. Sources indicate that there will be significant discussion concerning the public release of the findings, as both the Congress high command and the expert committee have recommended transparency to address any misconceptions about various communities. It is important to note that the report's findings will only be made public if they are formally tabled in the assembly, ensuring that the dissemination of information follows proper legislative procedures.


Time of India
42 minutes ago
- Time of India
5 Harda officials removed after baton charge on Karni Sena members
Bhopal: CM Mohan Yadav on Sunday removed five senior officials in Harda district, including the SDM, additional SP, over the police baton charge on Karni Sena Parivar members earlier this month. On July 13, police entered a hostel and used batons, water cannons and tear gas to disperse Karni Sena members protesting against the arrest of their leaders. SDOP, Kotwali police station in charge, and traffic police station in charge were other officers removed. Over 60 members, including national president Jeevan Singh Sherpur, were arrested, prompting authorities to impose prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Considering the situation, police force from nearby districts was also called in. Sources said an office bearer of Karni Sena Parivar, Ashish Singh Rajput, made a complaint with police earlier that he was defrauded of Rs 18 lakh by accused Mohit Verma and two others. After police arrested Verma and were taking him to produce before a court, the volunteers of Karni Sena Parivar allegedly intercepted police and demanded to hand over the accused to them. The sources said when the situation escalated on July 12, police arrested Karni Sena district president Sunil Rajput, Ashish Rajput, and two others. The July 13 protest was in response to those arrests, added the sources.