Amidst protests by hundreds of workers demanding better wages and working conditions in Noida, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Wednesday said “external elements should not be allowed to interfere in the internal matters of a group or factory”. He also directed officials to ensure strict enforcement of labour rights, warning that any violation would invite the “harshest legal action”.
Underlining that organisations must safeguard their internal cohesion, he said “there are many who disrupt, but very few who build,” and urged employees to strengthen unity, trust and a positive work culture.
The CM made the statement while flagging off the one-millionth bus from Tata Motors’ Lucknow facility.
His remarks come in the backdrop of the state government approving an interim hike in wages for workers, with a 21% increase for Gautam Buddh Nagar — under which Noida falls — and Ghaziabad.
टाटा मोटर्स के लखनऊ प्लांट में निर्मित 10 लाखवीं गाड़ी को आज झंडी दिखाकर रवाना किया।
इस अवसर पर टाटा संस के चेयरमैन श्री एन. चंद्रशेखरन जी भी उपस्थित रहे।
फ्लैग ऑफ का यह कार्यक्रम एक Industrial Revolution मात्र नहीं, बल्कि उस ऐतिहासिक उड़ान का लॉन्च पैड है, जो ‘नए उत्तर प्रदेश’… pic.twitter.com/qGiGSDVhqf
Adityanath, meanwhile, emphasised that teamwork, honesty and a sense of gratitude are central to long-term success, and called on workers to carry out their responsibilities with commitment. He also highlighted the importance of recognising the role of institutions in individual and collective progress.
Highlighting UP’s strength of a large workforce and big population, which also means a big market, Adityanath said, “M stands for market… a state of 25 crore people, with 56% workforce being youth… we are working in line with the Prime Minister’s vision to connect the youth with skill, innovation and technology to create a market-ready and industry-ready workforce.”
He further said this mass of workforce gives momentum to the state’s development. “V symbolises velocity… momentum is now visible not just in data but on the ground as well,” he said, pointing to rapidly expanding infrastructure and strong connectivity across the state.
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Referring to past conditions, the Chief Minister said that the situation about a decade ago was marked by an identity crisis, poor connectivity, lack of clear intent and policy and people were hesitant to invest.
Contrasting it with the present, he noted, “Aaj UP ke paas desh ke kul expressway ka lagbhag 55 pratishat hissa hai… Ganga Expressway ke shubharambh ke baad yeh lagbhag 60 pratishat ho jayega (Today, Uttar Pradesh accounts for about 55% of the country’s expressways… this will rise to around 60% after the Ganga Expressway is inaugurated).”
Adityanath said the 600-km-long Ganga Expressway would be dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi this month.
Reviews industrial situation
Reviewing the industrial situation during a meeting via video conferencing, the CM also ordered a comprehensive probe into manpower supply agencies amid complaints of irregularities, while mandating grievance redressal mechanisms in industrial units.
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Officials informed that the Chief Minister took note of recent developments in Noida (Gautam Buddha Nagar) and stressed that only genuine workers should be part of any dialogue process. He directed the authorities concerned to identify and act against “non-worker miscreants” allegedly involved in creating unrest, adding such elements should be exposed publicly to ensure transparency.
The Chief Minister was informed during the meeting that recent wage hikes have been positively received by workers and industry alike, and that the situation in Noida has largely normalised. Adityanath directed that the revised wages be implemented from April 1 without exception and called for third-party surveys to assess management-related complaints in certain units.
Adityanath underscored a zero-tolerance policy towards those inciting workers or spreading misinformation. He instructed continuous monitoring of social media to curb rumours and directed swift legal action against those responsible for disinformation, aiming to prevent escalation of industrial tensions.
Taking a serious note of complaints against manpower supply agencies, the Chief Minister ordered a committee led by the Infrastructure and Industrial Development Commissioner, along with the Labour Department, to conduct a detailed statewide audit.
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Officials said the probe will examine discrepancies between payments made by industrial units and wages received by workers, along with scrutiny of ESI, insurance, and other statutory benefits.
The CM also made it mandatory for all industrial units —government and private — to establish functional grievance cells to ensure time-bound and transparent resolution of workers’ complaints. He also called for improved workplace facilities, including better mess arrangements.
The Chief Minister further directed industrial development authorities to prepare plans for dormitories and affordable housing for workers, emphasising such bodies must go beyond revenue generation and fulfil their social responsibilities. He also suggested linking bank payments with insurance coverage to safeguard workers in cases of accidents or untimely death, while stressing focus on education, healthcare, and insurance for workers’ families.
Also, to maintain industrial harmony, officials were asked to maintain a regular dialogue with entrepreneurs and management bodies, and ensure that law and order is not disrupted under the guise of labour issues. Police and administrative authorities were instructed to remain vigilant and prevent entry of “disruptive elements” into industrial units.
Maulshree Seth is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, based in Lucknow. With over 15 years of experience in mainstream journalism, she has built a formidable reputation for her on-ground reporting across Uttar Pradesh. Her expertise spans a wide array of critical beats, including state politics, governance, the judiciary, and rural development.
Authoritativeness Maulshree’s work is characterized by depth and historical context. Her coverage of high-stakes state elections and landmark judicial rulings has established her as an authoritative voice on the intersection of law and politics in Northern India. She is frequently recognized for her ability to gain access to primary sources and for her nuanced understanding of the socio-economic factors that drive the world's most populous sub-national entity.
Trustworthiness & Ethical Journalism Her reporting is rooted in rigorous fact-checking and a steadfast dedication to neutral, unbiased storytelling. By prioritizing field-based verification—often traveling to the most remote corners of the state—she ensures that her readers receive a truthful and comprehensive view of events. ... Read More
