Will strive more to make UP India’s biggest economy: Yogi
UP CM accuses previous regimes of not taking initiative to improve the state’s condition, says there have been no riots in the state in the last four years
LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday said that his government will strive a bit more to make the state the biggest economy in the country. He was speaking at a press conference at Lok Bhawan here on the completion of four years of his government.
“By adopting the mantra of ‘reform, perform, transform’, our government took the state out of its Bimaru categorisation to make its economy the second biggest in the country,” he said. Bimaru is an acronym often used for categorising Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh as backward states.
“Despite being the most populous state, the state (earlier) suffered the ignominy of being a laggard. But not anymore. In four years, the state jumped to the status of the country’s second-biggest economy from its fifth position,” he added. The state economy’s size grew to Rs 21,73,000 crore from Rs 10,90,000 crore in four years, he said. “In four years, the state’s per capita income has doubled. Now, with a little more push, we will make UP India’s biggest economy,” he said.
“In 2015-16, the per capita income in UP was Rs 45,000 and now it is Rs 95,000,” he added.
“On this day, four years ago, our government took the reins of the state and then scripted the turnaround story. The state progressed by leaps and bounds in all areas—economy, health, education, safety and security, investments, image, tourism, employment etc,” he said.
Accusing the previous regimes of not taking the initiative to improve the state’s condition, he said, “This is the same UP where earlier, no festival could be celebrated peacefully. On the contrary, there have been no riots in the state in the last four years.” The government brought about extensive police reforms, he claimed, adding that it introduced a zero-tolerance policy against crime and
brought it down by 44 to 60% in various categories.
“We see positive results in all sectors, be it agriculture or MSMEs. Rural connectivity and inter-state connectivity have improved. The power scenario underwent a sea change,” he added.
“In the new Uttar Pradesh, four lakh youths got jobs in four years through a transparent process and without any bribes. The unemployment rate has come down to 4% from 17% four years ago. Women feel safe, secure, empowered. Faith is respected, and mafia and criminals have no place. This new UP is now the first choice of investors. Investors used to shy away from the state (earlier),” he said.
Further, the chief minister said the government focused on improving the education standards in the state.
“Our government brought about extensive changes in education. The state was known for students copying in exams and we put an end to it, and even improved infrastructure.”
“For students, who were preparing for competitive exams and needed coaching, we brought in the Mukhya Mantri Abhuday Yojana. As many as 18 lakh students are already connected with it,” he said.
He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his guidance and the 24-crore population of the state for cooperation.
The chief minister, along with several of his cabinet colleagues and top officers of the state, released Vikas Pustika (Development Booklet) that enumerated in detail the work done by the state government in four years.