Yogi Government To Fund Major Religious Fairs In Uttar Pradesh Under New Urban Development SOP

The Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government has announced full state funding for large-scale religious fairs that attract over five lakh devotees, reported Free Press Journal.

Under a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) from the Urban Development Department, the state will cover costs for infrastructure, sanitation, crowd management, lighting, and other logistics for fairs attracting more than 5 lakh visitors.

District-level committees, chaired by the District Magistrate with SDM-level officers and municipal commissioners, will oversee planning, execution, and recommendations to designate events as “Provincial Melas” if they have religious, mythological, or historical significance.

The SOP requires committees to meet at least twice a year.

If disagreements arise over issues like tolls or entry fees, the District Magistrate will follow the majority view. If consensus cannot be achieved, the final decision on matter will be made by the Divisional Commissioner.

The government has introduced a tiered funding model for the fairs.

Events with 5–10 lakh attendees will get Rs 25–50 lakh, 10–20 lakh will get Rs 50–75 lakh, 20–40 lakh will get Rs 75 lakh–1 crore, 40–60 lakh will get Rs 1–1.25 crore, and over 60 lakh will get Rs 1.25–1.5 crore.

Funding sources will include Corporate Social Responsibility contributions, urban local body revenues, and departmental support. District officials can seek extra funds if needed.

Melas will receive services like temporary shelters, clean drinking water, barricading, sound systems, lighting, mobile toilets, watchtowers, boats with divers, and temporary roads.

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