Yogi's first big decision: Free ration for 15 crore people
What's the story
After taking oath as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh for the second term, Yogi Adityanth on Saturday took his first big decision of extending UP's free ration scheme for three months for 15 crore people.
Notably, the UP government will spend Rs. 3,270 crore for the scheme.
The decision was reportedly taken in the first cabinet meeting held on Saturday morning.
Context
Why does this story matter?
Yogi Adityanath took oath as UP CM for the second consecutive term at Lucknow's Ekana Cricket Stadium on Friday.
Notably, this is the first time in over three decades that a party won two consecutive elections in UP after completing a full term.
The BJP retained power in UP by winning 255 out of 403 constituencies in recently held assembly polls.
Details
Decision was taken considering the poor: UP minister
"We have taken this decision keeping in mind the poor. The policies of the central and state government have to be reached to the people," Deputy CM Brijesh Pathak told NDTV after the cabinet meeting.
Notably, the free ration scheme—started during the COVID-19 pandemic—was supposed to expire in March.
The scheme provides for an additional five kilograms of food grain per household per month.
Cabinet
UP cabinet sees new faces; balance of caste, regional equations
Meanwhile, Adityanath's newly-formed state cabinet saw 31 new faces in the 52-member team.
A total of 22 ministers who served in Yogi's cabinet in the earlier regime have now been dropped.
The cabinet also found an adequate representation of OBCs and Dalits, with 20 ministers being OBCs, nine being Dalits.
Upper castes also see 21 representatives in the new cabinet.
Quote
'Will approach 2024 with mission to win 75+ seats'
Keshav Prasad Maurya—who was again appointed as Deputy CM—said on Friday, "Now, under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we will work even harder to help the poor and will approach 2024 with the mission to win 75 plus seats.