Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has issued a stern warning against the damage of public property, highlighting a peculiar incident in Lucknow where a person allegedly used a ₹2.5 crore luxury car to steal a ₹45 flower pot.
Speaking at an event in Lucknow, CM Adityanath underscored the government's commitment to protecting public assets, stressing that development funds are citizens' money and must be utilized responsibly. "We will not allow damage to government property," he affirmed, recounting the surprising theft.
The ₹2.5 Crore Car, ₹45 Flower Pot Incident
The Chief Minister expressed dismay over the incident, noting the stark contrast between the value of the vehicle and the stolen item. "Now think about it – such an expensive car is used just to steal a flower pot. The fuel used in the car itself could have bought a new pot," he remarked.
He revealed that city-wide CCTV cameras were instrumental in tracking the perpetrator. "Such an expensive vehicle – around a ₹2.5 crore car – and yet CCTV cameras are installed everywhere now. We keep monitoring through them, and it was found that someone used that expensive car to steal a pot worth just ₹45," Yogi Adityanath explained.
Adityanath suggested that the individual could have easily purchased a new pot, maintained their dignity, and contributed positively to the city's aesthetics. He even mused about publicly displaying the culprit's photograph.
Public Funds for Public Welfare
Emphasizing the sanctity of public money, the Chief Minister stated, "Because the money we spend is not being given by me, nor is the Finance Minister giving it from her own pocket… This is the money of the people, and we are only ensuring its proper planning and use."
His remarks were made during a program at the Indira Gandhi Pratishthan in Lucknow, where he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 342 development projects totaling ₹413 crore. He also unveiled a booklet titled 'Swachh-Sundar-Samarth Lucknow'.
Cleanliness and Civic Responsibility
CM Adityanath lauded the achievements of BJP-led municipal corporations in Uttar Pradesh over the past three years, particularly in development and cleanliness. He highlighted Lucknow Municipal Corporation's third-place ranking nationally in the Swachh Survekshan (Cleanliness Survey) and urged citizens to help the city achieve the top spot.
He appealed to residents to adopt practices like separating wet and dry waste, avoiding single-use plastic, and actively protecting public infrastructure. The Chief Minister also contrasted his government's focus on development and ease of living with previous regimes, which he claimed left behind issues of potholes, corruption, and poor governance.