Daijiworld Media Network - Lucknow
Lucknow, Sep 29: Former IAS officer Divya Mittal has announced her entry into politics in Uttar Pradesh, saying she will not join any political party but will work with citizens to build a platform around their concerns and problems.
Mittal, a 2013-batch Uttar Pradesh cadre officer, resigned from the IAS on August 30 after around 13 years of administrative service. She had served in several key positions in the state, including as district magistrate of Deoria, Mirzapur and Sant Kabir Nagar.
In a video message posted on X on Monday, Mittal said her political journey would begin in Uttar Pradesh, which she described as more than just her workplace. She said people in the state had accepted her as a member of their family and that she wanted to begin a “new innings” there.
Mittal said her decision to enter politics was driven by a desire to represent people whose concerns often remain unheard. She said politics, for her, would be a means of becoming a voice for citizens rather than a route to holding a position.
Recalling her administrative experiences, Mittal spoke about a woman she met while inspecting water-supply work in Mirzapur. She said the woman sought a higher-level school in her village instead of asking for personal benefits. Mittal said she later found that the school had already been approved but construction had not begun even after three years.
She cited the incident while raising questions about implementation of government decisions, saying that the issue was not always a lack of resources but could also involve delays in execution.
Mittal also recalled an incident from her tenure as Special Secretary for Revenue involving discrepancies in documents related to a government land lease. She said action was taken after the matter was examined and the concerned report was returned.
She further spoke about problems concerning roads, bridges and potholes in rural areas, as well as the impact of poor infrastructure on connectivity during the monsoon. She said accountability should be addressed when failures in basic infrastructure lead to accidents and deaths.
Mittal also highlighted concerns affecting young people and the education system, including issues related to examination paper leaks. She said her political journey would involve taking up such issues directly with people and developing a platform based on their concerns.
Her resignation from the IAS was announced on August 30. At the time, she described her 13-year tenure as an unforgettable journey. The resignation process was reported as pending formal approval from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs based on the Uttar Pradesh government's recommendation.