Yogi's 1st big decision as 2nd term starts on free ration for UP's 15 crore+

In the first big decision a day after a grand oath ceremony, Yogi Adityanath on Saturday extended Uttar Pradesh's free ration scheme for three months for 15 crore people of the state.

UP will spend Rs.3,270 crore for the scheme. "In the cabinet meeting today, we have decided to extend the free ration scheme for the next three months. It will benefit 15 crore people of the state," the chief minister was quoted.

The chief minister held his first cabinet meeting on Saturday morning after the state saw a huge oath ceremony on Friday that was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, union ministers, and chief ministers of the BJP-ruled states among other top leaders.

The Atal Bihari Vajpayee cricket stadium saw a 70,000 plus crowd.

With the latest move, the BJP aims to keep a focus on pro-poor governance in the Yogi 2.0 regime. Also, in the new state cabinet, focus has been on balancing caste and regional equations with an eye on the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

The 52-member team is heavy on OBCs and Dalits. While 20 ministers are OBCs, 9 are Dalits. Upper castes, another unfailing support base, also see 21 representatives.