CM Fellows' innovations redefine devpt in rural UP

Lucknow: Chief Minister Fellows, many of whom are completing three years in their posts, are being recognised for innovative schemes they implemented in their blocks to bring measurable changes in these areas.

In Lakhimpur Kheri district, CM Fellows, in collaboration with local officials, worked on activating sub-health centres in Kukra and Jalalpur villages, which are now equipped with proper delivery centres. Due to the presence of the delivery centres, institutional deliveries increased to 94% in these villages, ensuring safer childbirth and better maternal and infant health care. An official from the planning department, which has been monitoring the CM Fellowship Programme, said that where once only five-six institutional deliveries took place monthly, the number has now surged to 20 per month.

In Badaun's Salarpur block, CM Fellow Mayank Singh introduced an innovative model that blends health awareness with livelihood generation. To address the lack of resources in Anganwadi centres, he collaborated with self-help group women to create Madhubani-style banners conveying health messages. The funds raised were used to procure health equipment for four Anganwadi centres, which then led to a notable increase in ANC check-up registrations among pregnant women, the official said.

Inspired by Singh's work, Momina, an SHG member, created similar awareness banners using zari-zardozi art. Seeing how effective the simple plan was, the govt is putting in place a plan to expand this to promote awareness about TB and education.

In Gorakhpur's Brahmapur block, CM Fellow Praveen Kumar Rao focussed on boosting the production of Kala Namak rice. He formed a 58-hectare cluster under the agricultural export policy 2019 and, in collaboration with farmer producer organisations, facilitated a Rs 100 per kg seed subsidy. He then secured Rs 10 lakh as support for 200 farmers, which led to an expansion in rice cultivation and an increase of nearly 1.5 times in the farmers' income through exports.

Binod Kumar Jaiswal, posted in Ballia's Sohawan block, introduced smart TVs in the Primary School at Narhi to bring digital learning to the school. This resulted in a surge in student enrolment, which went up from 148 students in May 2024 to 194 by Sep, with attendance reaching 85%.

These transformative efforts are a direct result of CM Yogi Adityanath's forward-looking policy to empower youth-led innovation in rural areas. The CM Fellows are not just implementing programmes but are redefining the development narrative of rural UP through sustainable, inclusive and impactful interventions, the official said.