Ahead of Kumbh, UP Govt bans strikes across depts for 6 months

The Uttar Pradesh Government has banned strikes and demonstrations in its departments, corporations and local authorities for the next six months under the Uttar Pradesh Essential Services Maintenance Act, according to a statement.

State BJP spokesperson Manish Shukla said a “divine and grand Kumbh” is going to be held in the state in the coming months and other important programmes have also been proposed. The steps have been taken to ensure the availability of basic facilities to the visiting devotees and residents, Shukla said.

Principal opposition in Uttar Pradesh, Samajwadi Party, termed the move “undemocratic”. SP MLC Ashutosh Sinha said, “People and government employees have a right to express their views as per the provisions of the Constitution. But it seems that the government does not want people to do so.”

Meanwhile, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the Jan Ashray Sthal in Prayagraj on Saturday, in preparation for the 'Maha Kumbh', which will commence on January 13, 2025.

Earlier in the day, the Uttar Pradesh CM also chaired a meeting with the officials to review the ongoing preparations for the Mahakumbh 2025 at Circuit House in Prayagraj.

The Mahakumbh will begin with the Paush Purnima Snan, which is on 13 January 2025. The Kumbh festival will conclude with the final bath on 26 February 2025, the day of Mahashivratri.

Focusing on providing better facilities to devotees during Mahakumbh, the authorities are also constructing a special type of floating jetty at Sangam that will allow devotees to take comfortable baths and have the facility to change clothes. Besides, a 100-bed hospital has been nearly completed at the Parade Ground in Mahakumbh Nagar.