The first taste of UP bureaucracy, not so sweet for Yogi government 

Lucknow: As expected, playing on the inexperience of the Yogi government in Uttar Pradesh, the highly politicised bureaucracy of the state messed up, at least, two of the first decisions of the government.

The handling of the action on illegal slaughterhouses of UP and the operations of anti-squad of the state police left everyone bewildered. The natural query if the BJP in its 'Sankalp Patra' had envisaged this way. The answer is No. It was not formulated, designed or foreseen as it turned out to be.

The bureaucracy, specially the police, went 'overboard' in most of the cases with absolute no sense of proportion and clarity. Yes, the mandate was unclear from the government but then the state government was new while the set of officers was from the previous regime.

Also Read: UP government issues stern warning to ‘over-enthusiastic’ bureaucracy

The divide with regards to direction of the actions was sharp with even the diehard Bharatiya Janata Party supporters were found sulking over the action in this regard. The conflicting statements from the government functionaries also added to the confusion forcing meat shops shutting down and boys scared to move out from their houses, in two scenarios.

Summing up the role of police and magistracy in some cases, a retired bureaucrat said that when most of the officers of the previous government have been waiting to be transferred, they lack the motivation and loyalty in some cases. The way police hierarchy handled the anti-Romeo drive, it is clearly evident that it was handiwork of a reluctant bunch of officers.

It is ironical that the government in its totality come out with a warning to the officers not to be 'over-enthusiastic' but the initial damage has already been done and the rawness of the new government, in terms of the control over officers, stands thoroughly exposed. Similar to slaughter house and anti-Romeo squad actions, the mas copying in the UP Board examinations is also being reported on a regular basis despite the frequent inspections by the Deputy CM and Secondary Education Minister Dr Dinesh Sharma.

Also Read: An IPS officer of UP alleges of DGP office pressure for caste-biased action

According to insiders, the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath wanted to have his officers from the state itself and not liking the interference of the Centre in this regard. Probably, this is the reason why the appointment of new Chief Secretary and the officers at the CM's secretariat has not yet been made. Moreover, the influential officers of the past regime have also pulled their strings in order to ensure status quo in this regard, the buzz in the officialdom suggests.