Lucknow, Aug 23 — Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday launched a sharp attack at the Samajwadi Party, alleging that the Opposition party was circulating videos showing the poor condition of school buildings that, according to him, date back to the period before 2017 when the SP government was in power.

The Chief Minister also made a series of major announcements aimed at strengthening social security for 3.53 lakh cooks, working under the PM Poshan Yojana in government and aided schools across the state.

Addressing a felicitation programme for Mid-Day Meal cooks in Lucknow, Yogi Adityanath criticised the tenure of the previous SP government and claimed that the state had witnessed deterioration in both law and order and the education system during that period.

Slamming the SP, the Chief Minister said, "They exploited the poor only for the benefit of their family. They looted the state and turned Uttar Pradesh into a state of lawlessness. They encroached on the lands of the poor and compromised the safety of women. No one felt secure. There were riots and disturbances on a regular basis, and people's happiness was snatched away before every festival. Development had come to a standstill because the state had nothing to show for it."

He added that the situation underwent a significant transformation since the BJP came to power in the state.

CM Yogi also targeted the opposition over videos that have surfaced on social media showing dilapidated school buildings. He alleged that some of the structures shown in such videos were built during the previous government and claimed that the present administration was already working to replace old and unsafe buildings.

"We have replaced old and dilapidated buildings with new ones. Some people are sharing photographs of the old, dilapidated buildings on social media," he said.

Referring specifically to the videos showing schools in poor condition, Yogi said, "Some people are trying to criticise the government by showing such buildings. Many of these dilapidated buildings date back to the revious government. The government is now identifying such buildings and replacing them with new ones."

The Chief Minister said his government had brought extensive changes to the state's school education system and was continuously working to provide students with improved infrastructure and a better learning environment.

Referring to initiatives such as the expansion of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, Bal Vatika, ICT laboratories and other facilities, CM Yogi said efforts were being made continuously to improve educational infrastructure and create better conditions for children studying in government schools.

He said that before 2017, the education system in Uttar Pradesh was in a poor condition and children belonging to economically weaker families often had to travel to schools in difficult weather conditions, facing scorching heat during summers and severe cold during winters. According to him, the situation has changed, with students now receiving uniforms, shoes, socks and sweaters as part of government support.

The Chief Minister also claimed that the state's examination system had become free from cheating and was moving towards ensuring better standards of education.

Without naming SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, CM Yogi took a swipe at him by referring to him as "Babua" and said that running a government requires both time and hard work. He claimed that his government continuously monitors its functioning and regularly reviews the implementation of schemes and the performance of different departments.

"Those who used to wake up in the afternoon, get ready, go to the gym in the evening, and then have a party, have no time for the state... Today the government has ample time for the state, and that is why the results of the schemes are visible," he said.

The Chief Minister also renewed his attack on the previous SP-led government over law and order, alleging that land grabbing was widespread during its tenure and that people were concerned about the safety of women and their families.

"During the previous government, land grabs were rampant, and people were concerned about the safety of their daughters. Today, the law and order situation in the state has changed, and the safety of daughters is being prioritised," he said.

The Chief Minister announced four major measures for the 3.53 lakh cooks working in government and aided schools under the PM Poshan Yojana.

Under the measures announced by the state government, the monthly honorarium of cooks will be increased to Rs 3,000. The government will also provide accidental assistance of Rs 2 lakh, cashless medical treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh per cook's family every year, and double the existing amount provided for clothing.

CM Yogi symbolically distributed cashless medical cards to 11 cooks. Around 1,500 cooks from different parts of Uttar Pradesh participated in the event, while similar programmes were also organised at district and tehsil levels to felicitate and honour cooks.

"Until now, there were no adequate social security arrangements for cooks. The government will open bank accounts for them and transfer their honorarium directly to their accounts. In case of an accident, the family will receive assistance of Rs 2 lakh, while in case of illness, family members will be able to avail cashless treatment up to Rs 5 lakh annually at a listed hospital," he said.

The Chief Minister said that the role of cooks goes beyond merely preparing and serving meals to schoolchildren. He said they also contribute to ensuring a healthy childhood by providing children with nutritious food as prescribed under the scheme.

CM Yogi, in an appeal for maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in mid-day meals, said, "There should be no negligence in food preparation. It is necessary to prevent unauthorised entry into the kitchen and pay special attention to the quality of food so that there is no scope for incidents like food poisoning."

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