Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to implement permanent noise control measures for loudspeakers at religious places. During a law and order review at the Circuit House on Wednesday, he also instructed authorities to strictly prohibit high-volume DJs during Holi celebrations, according to an official statement.

Focus on law enforcement and security

Adityanath emphasized the need for enhanced security measures and ordered the installation of CCTV cameras at key locations such as banks, financial institutions, shops, and commercial establishments. He also called for stringent action against cattle smugglers, warning that vehicle owners and any complicit police personnel would face strict consequences.

To ensure effective enforcement of the state’s complete ban on cattle smuggling, Additional Director General (ADG) Zone Piyush Mordia was directed to conduct district-wise reviews.

Development projects and civic improvements

The Chief Minister urged officials to accelerate development projects, appoint nodal officers for each under-construction project, and conduct weekly inspections. Noting delays in some projects, he ordered faster execution while maintaining quality standards.

With summer approaching, he instructed authorities to ensure an uninterrupted water supply. Additionally, he proposed the beautification of flyover pillars with artistic paintings and high-quality advertisements.

Support for vendors, farmers, and working women

Adityanath directed officials to create designated vending zones for street hawkers. He also instructed them to ensure affordable meals, free drinking water, and proper seating arrangements for farmers at all wheat procurement centers.

The District Magistrate announced that wheat procurement at ₹2,425 per quintal would commence on March 17 across 36 centers in the district.

In an effort to support working women, the Chief Minister ordered the establishment of hostels and affordable canteens in the district.

Holi celebrations and crime control

Emphasizing security during ‘Holika Dahan’ and Holi, Adityanath called for strict vigilance. He also directed officials to identify the top ten criminals from each police station to strengthen law enforcement.

A major political row has erupted in Rajasthan over the BJP-led state government’s alleged spending of more than Rs 100 crore on the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards ceremony in Jaipur. The opposition Congress has accused Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma’s government of prioritizing entertainment over religious and cultural heritage, citing the lack of funds allocated to temples like Khatu Shyam Ji.

Leader of the Opposition Tika Ram Jully took a sharp dig at the ruling party, claiming that apart from superstar Shah Rukh Khan, no other major Bollywood A-lister was present at the event.

Opposition slams spending priorities

During a speech in the Assembly, Jully pointed out that the government, which often “chants the name of Sanatan,” refused to allocate Rs 100 crore for Khatu Shyam Ji temple and Rs 120 crore for Govind Dev Ji temple but swiftly sanctioned the same amount for the IIFA ceremony.

“Passes worth Rs 7 lakh were given out for free using taxpayers’ money. What did Rajasthan gain from IIFA? The stars did not even visit any tourist spots. Who were the big names? Apart from Shah Rukh Khan, everyone was second-grade. When someone mentioned Madhuri Dixit, they said she is second-grade now, her time is over. No big film star came. When Amitabh Bachchan was not there, what is there to say?” Jully remarked.

Sonu Nigam controversy resurfaces

The absence of popular singer Sonu Nigam at the IIFA event added fuel to the controversy. Jully pointed out that the government had invited the singer for the ‘Rajasthan Rising’ event but not for the IIFA awards.

“What happened in one month? You called Sonu Nigam for ‘Rajasthan Rising’ but not here. Sonu Nigam should have been invited. He sings well,” Jully said, suggesting that political motives may have influenced the decision.

The Congress leader was referring to a recent controversy in which Sonu Nigam criticized Chief Minister Sharma and his ministers for walking out during his performance in Jaipur. The singer had commented, “If you do not respect your artists, then what will outsiders do?” The Chief Minister’s Office later clarified that Sharma left the event because outdoor concerts are not allowed after 10 PM.

Adding to the row, Sonu Nigam was not nominated for Best Male Playback Singer at IIFA. He shared a screenshot of the nominations list on Instagram, sarcastically thanking the awards committee and implying that the Rajasthan bureaucracy influenced the decision.

Political clash over cultural priorities

The IIFA controversy has triggered a heated debate in Rajasthan, with the Congress questioning the government’s commitment to religious and cultural development. The BJP, however, has defended its decision, arguing that the event boosted tourism and global exposure for the state.

Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy has spoken against the culture of freebies, asserting that poverty can only be eradicated through job creation, not government handouts. Speaking at an event in Mumbai, Murthy emphasized the role of entrepreneurs in solving poverty, stating that it would “vanish like dew on a sunny morning” if innovative enterprises are created.

Entrepreneurs key to ending poverty

Addressing an entrepreneurs’ gathering, the 78-year-old businessman highlighted the importance of employment generation. “I have no doubt that each of you will create hundreds of thousands of jobs, and that is how you solve the problem of poverty. You don’t solve the problem of poverty by freebies; no country has succeeded in that,” he said.

Murthy, who previously stirred debate by suggesting young people should work 70 hours a week, reiterated that he had limited knowledge of politics and governance. However, he suggested that any benefits provided should come with certain conditions or incentives.

Call for accountability in welfare schemes

Citing the example of free electricity up to 200 units per month, Murthy suggested that the government conduct random surveys after six months to assess the impact. He proposed checking whether children in such households are studying more or if parental engagement has improved.

Supreme Court’s stand on freebies

The Supreme Court has also criticized the trend of political parties announcing freebies before elections. In a recent hearing, a bench led by Justices BR Gavai and Augustine George Masih expressed concern that such handouts discourage people from working.

“Rather than promoting them to be a part of the mainstream of society by contributing to the development of the nation, are we not creating a class of parasites?” the bench remarked.

The court noted that people receiving free rations and financial aid were often unwilling to seek employment. The judges also questioned whether it would be better to integrate these individuals into the workforce and allow them to contribute to national growth.

India’s large welfare program

India, the world’s most populous country, reportedly provides free rations and financial support to over 80 crore people through various welfare schemes.