Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 19 congratulated Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for his resolve to develop the State into a one trillion dollar economy, saying that the country will progress only when every State moves forward with big dreams and resolutions like that of Uttar Pradesh.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the fourth edition of the Ground Breaking Ceremony organised at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan, PM Modi stated, “I have full faith in the power of UP and the hard work of the double engine Government. I especially congratulate Yogi. Every Indian is proud that UP has decided to become a trillion dollar economy. My advice to all the political parties of the country would be to leave politics and learn from UP and then enter the field with a similar resolve.”
The Prime Minister launched more than 14,000 projects worth more than Rs 10 lakh crore on the occasion. He also watched glimpses of the changing Uttar Pradesh through films screened at the event.
Emphasising that it is a time of infinite opportunities for industries in Uttar Pradesh, he remarked, “Exports from UP have doubled in the last few years. UP is the State with the highest number of expressways and international airports in the country. The country’s first rapid rail is running here. A large network of Western and Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridors passes through UP. The river network is also being used for cargo ships. Transportation has become cheaper.”
The Prime Minister pointed out that seven years ago, such a favourable environment for investments and the creation of jobs was unimaginable because of a high crime rate, riots and, snatchings etc across the State.
“Today investment worth lakhs of crores is coming into Uttar Pradesh. Work is starting on thousands of projects in Uttar Pradesh. These industries are going to change the face of UP. In the last seven years, a red carpet culture has replaced the red tape culture”, he asserted.
The Prime Minister said that the crime rate has dropped significantly in Uttar Pradesh, and business culture has expanded with the building of trust in the State’s capabilities.
“There is optimism among all investors who have come here, which is a very positive sign. The double engine Government has shown that if one has the intention to bring about change, no one can stop it from happening,” he said.
The Prime Minister said that there is unprecedented positivity about India all over the world. Referring to the visit to Qatar and UAE, PM Modi said that every country is confident about India’s development.
“The whole world is considering India as a guarantee of better returns. It is often seen that when elections are near, people avoid new investments. But, even that belief has fallen apart in Uttar Pradesh today with investors around the world reposing their trust in the Government’s policies and stability,” he said.
The Prime Minister said that for many decades since independence, the political dispensation’s approach towards development was selective, which left a sizeable population of the country yearning for basic facilities.
“But, the double engine Government has changed the old political thinking. We are engaged in making the life of every citizen easier. If life becomes easier, investing and doing business will also be easier”, he remarked.
The Prime Minister added further that providing benefits of Government schemes to all the needy people, cutting across all sections of society, is social justice and secularism in the true sense, pointing out that earlier, people faced discrimination due to rampant corruption.
“This is the social justice that JP and Lohia had dreamed of,” he stated. The Prime Minister also discussed in detail the merits of the Lakhpati Didi Yojana, PM Swanidhi Yojana, and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and said that this had increased the purchasing power of the rural and urban middle class. He described MSME as the strength of UP. He also discussed ODOP and PM Shram Samman Yojana, mentioning his fondness for the toys of Kashi, his parliamentary constituency.
The Prime Minister said that Uttar Pradesh has the potential to become a tourism hub. “Lakhs of people are coming to Kashi and Ayodhya. This is a golden opportunity for industries related to tourism sector. The upcoming Kumbh in 2025 will be a very important occasion for the economy of UP”, he said.
Discussing solar energy, the Prime Minister said that PM Suryaghar Free Electricity Scheme will not only provide free electricity to the countrymen, but will also become a means of earning additional electricity. Lakhs of employment opportunities will be created in this sector in installation, maintenance and supply chain.
The Prime Minister added, “Just a few days ago, our Government has awarded Bharat Ratna to the messiah of farmers, Chaudhary Charan Singh. Unfortunately, Congress and its allies do not understand this. Congressis consider only one family to have the right on Bharat Ratna. Baba Saheb was not given Bharat Ratna for decades. These people have been giving Bharat Ratna only to their families.”
The Prime Minister also called upon the entrepreneurs associated with the food processing sector to take the pledge to make ‘Make in India’ products available on every dining table in the world, with a special focus on the superfood millets.
“There is a good opportunity for investment in this super food. The Government wants to make small farmers a big market force. As much as the farmer and the soil will benefit, the enterprises related to food processing will also benefit through its cultivation,” PM Modi said.
Earlier, the Prime Minister inaugurated and visited the exhibition organised by various industry groups here. During this, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Governor Anandi Ben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were present with him.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath welcomed and congratulated the Prime Minister by presenting him with a murti of Bhagwan Ganesha. Deputy Chief Minister, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Chairman of the Legislative Council, and representatives of the industrial sector were also present.
(with inputs from ANI)
