In view of the increasing heat and possible heat wave in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Secretary SP Goyal has given instructions for wide publicity of prevention measures in all the districts. He clearly said that any kind of negligence in public health preparations will not be tolerated.

A weekly review meeting was held with all Divisional Commissioners and District Magistrates through video conferencing on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary SP Goyal. In the meeting, a detailed review of the progress of the upcoming health campaigns, wheat procurement system and labor schemes was done.

The Chief Secretary said that the communicable disease control campaign will be run in the state from April 1 to April 30 and the Dastak campaign will be run from April 10 to April 30. He directed that all the District Magistrates should prepare micro plans in coordination with the concerned departments including the Health Department and complete the preparations in a time bound manner. Instructions were also given to complete the training of the personnel engaged in the campaign on time.

Emphasizing on effective monitoring for the success of the campaign, he said that cleanliness, anti-larva spraying, waterlogging disposal and provision of pure drinking water in rural and urban areas should be ensured on priority. Special vigilance was asked to be taken in districts sensitive to diseases like dengue and chikungunya.

The Chief Secretary directed to involve village heads, Asha, ANM and Anganwadi workers in the campaign and raise awareness with the help of UNICEF, PATH and WHO-NPSP. Besides, emphasis was laid on making children aware about cleanliness and vector borne diseases in schools.

Citing the forecast of the Meteorological Department, he said that the temperature in the state is likely to be above normal. In such a situation, measures to prevent heat wave should be widely disseminated. Instructions were also given to make arrangements for cold drinking water in crowded places and to operate shelter homes if needed.

While reviewing the preparations for wheat procurement year 2026-27 in the meeting, the Chief Secretary said that farmers should not face any kind of inconvenience. While making all the purchasing centers fully functional, instructions were given to ensure basic facilities like drinking water, shade, seating and cleanliness there.

He also said that payment to farmers should be ensured within 48 hours, weighing should be done on time and adequate availability of sacks should be maintained. Emphasis was also laid on operation of mobile purchasing centers for the convenience of farmers in remote areas.

It was informed in the meeting that the target of wheat procurement for the year 2026-27 has been set at 10 lakh metric tonnes, while the minimum support price has been increased by Rs 160 to Rs 2585 per quintal. 5494 purchasing centers have been established in the state, which include 504 mobile centres.

While giving instructions for wide publicity of Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan (PM-SYM) Scheme and Pradhan Mantri Vikas Bharat Rojgar Yojana, the Chief Secretary said that more and more workers in the unorganized sector should be linked to these schemes. He stressed on making the workers connected to the e-Shram portal aware through SMS and increasing coordination with EPFO.