Uttar Pradesh is India’s largest state, with over 22 crore people, and it was handed over to Adityanath Yogi as Chief Minister in the year 2017. It was the most difficult undertaking for any Chief Minister from any other state. The reason I’m saying this is that UP was the worst state economically, but it was even worse socially, with extortion, coercion, kidnapping, land jihad, love jihad, rape, no major investment due to fear, Mafia exploitation of the middle and poor classes, and vote bank politics putting the state in the worst possible shape. When CM Yogi gained office, many intellectuals and opposition members mocked his attire and saintliness, as well as the idea that a monk could operate as CM.
This difficult work for a monk like CM Yogi, who has no dynastic background but a strong nationalist mindset and no personal motives, has made a significant impact in the previous eight years of pro-people, pro-development governance. Bimaru (Diseased state) is now the second most economically developed state, and law and order have improved dramatically in a way that no one could have predicted in such a short period of time.
If someone wants to explore his abilities as a great administrator, simply analyse the recently concluded Mahakumbh at Prayagraj. In just 45 days, 66 crore individuals visited, outnumbering the populations of America and many European countries. Even industrialised nations cannot envisage successfully organising such an unusual, unforeseen event. Monks can work marvels in terms of social justice, economic development, and adherence to the Dharma. Different scholars, intellectuals, and universities should do in-depth research on Mahakumbh to learn about the attributes and inner and outside strengths of CM Yogi. He has completely disabled the adversaries of farmers, women, and businessmen by killing or imprisoning them, ignoring their political and illegally acquired money power. As he demonstrated to the world his commitment to everyone’s safety and improved the state’s law and order situation, investment increased significantly, propelling UP to the number two economic position. He has demolished rival parties’ phony agendas of one-way secularism in order to get votes. If he becomes Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh for the next ten years, UP will make a significant contribution to India’s 10 trillion-dollar economy by 2030.
Key achievements of Yogi Adityanath’s government
1. Rural Development and Welfare Initiatives
Toilet Construction: The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has built over 2.62 crore toilets, bringing hygiene to rural households.
Free Ration Distribution: During the epidemic, the government distributed free rations to nearly 14.7 crore people, easing the misery of the impoverished.
Ujjwala Yojana: Over 1.86 crore Ujjwala LPG connections have been distributed, encouraging clean cooking fuel among households.
Housing for All: Over 56 lakh dwellings have been built for the disadvantaged in the previous eight years, hence increasing living standards.
2. Strong Law and Order Framework
Police reforms: The installation of police commissioners in seven districts, as well as the formation of the Special Security Force (UPSSF), has improved law enforcement efficiency.
Combating Crime: The government has adopted a tough line against criminals, with over 222 murdered and more than 8,000 injured in encounters.
Women’s Safety: The Anti-Romeo Squad and three female PAC battalions were established to ensure women’s safety and security. Furthermore, women can now use PRVs (Police Response Vehicles) during the night.
3. Smart Cities and Infrastructure Development
The Yogi government has led urban development, establishing 125 new municipal entities and transforming 17 cities into Smart Cities.
Metro Connectivity: Major cities like Noida, Greater Noida, Lucknow, Kanpur, and Agra have implemented metro services, considerably enhancing public transit.
Infrastructure Development: With the building of six expressways and continuing projects for 11 more, the state’s connectivity has greatly improved. The forthcoming Jewar airport in Gautam Buddh Nagar, as well as the state’s status as the country’s top in terms of airports, are significant achievements.
4. Concentrate on agriculture and farmers
Agriculture Growth: The agriculture sector in Uttar Pradesh has grown at a pace of 13.7 per cent, up from 8.6 per cent. The state is presently India’s greatest producer of fruits and vegetables, producing more than 4 crore tonnes per year. Farmers have received 76,189 solar pumps as part of the PM KUSUM project, allowing for more sustainable farming operations.
Market Modernisation: 27 new mandis (markets) have been modernised, resulting in improved price realisation for farmers.
5. Improved energy infrastructure
The government provides 20 hours of electricity for rural areas, 22 hours for tehsil areas, and 24 hours for district headquarters. Furthermore, the ongoing attempts to transform Ayodhya into a Solar City and the Bundelkhand Expressway into a Solar Expressway demonstrate a commitment to renewable energy. Subsidies and Facilities: Farmers with private tube-wells receive a 100 per cent rebate on their electricity bills and a system for replacing transformers within 24 hours has been implemented.
6. Cultural and Religious Developments
Religious Tourism Growth: The state has become a significant tourism hotspot, welcoming over 66.3 crore devotees during the Kumbh Mela and continuously ranking as the top tourist destination.
Pilgrimage Site Development: Notable achievements include the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, the expansion of Kashi’s Dev Deepawali, and the coordination of the huge Deepawali celebrations in Ayodhya.
7. Reforms in the health sector
Reforms in the health sector include ensuring universal health coverage. The Chief Minister Jan Arogya Yojana has offered free health coverage to almost 49 lakh families, ensuring that no one falls behind in the healthcare system.
Expanding medical facilities: The development of 5,000 new health sub-centres, as well as the provision of free dialysis facilities in all 75 districts, has increased access to healthcare.
8. Economic growth and industrial development
Uttar Pradesh now accounts for 45 per cent of the country’s mobile manufacturing output.
Atmanirbhar Uttar Pradesh: With a focus on industrial development and ease of doing business, Uttar Pradesh is gradually developing as a northern industrial hub, attracting major investment and promoting economic growth. Drawing on NITI Aayog data, the Chief Minister highlighted the feat of pulling 5.5 crore people out of poverty since 2017. Today, the state has 96 lakh thriving MSME businesses, which not only provide significant employment possibilities but also help promote Uttar Pradesh as a vibrant export hub. “Over the course of six years, the state’s exports have doubled,” he claimed.
UP Yogi Adityanath stated that the crackdown on land mafias by the anti-land mafia team has freed up 64,000 hectares of land. The Chief Minister stated that before his government took over, the yearly budget for a huge state like Uttar Pradesh, with a population of 220 million, was just Rs 2 trillion, which has since climbed to Rs 7.5 trillion. The GSDP increased from Rs 12 trillion to Rs 26 trillion in 2023-24 and will reach Rs 32 trillion by March 2025. He said the state was on course to become a trillion-dollar economy. Uttar Pradesh’s GDP, which formerly ranked seventh behind Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, West Bengal, and other states, is now the country’s second-largest. UP presently has 21 airports, the most of any state, and up to half of the country’s expressways.
A great character with a national purpose to restore the glory of his state and nation requires increased support from everyone. He has to be strengthened even further with a large majority in the upcoming assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. What mistakes UP voters committed in the 2024 Lok Sabha election should not be repeated in the upcoming election. Let us all rally behind this wonderful monk and CM to make the state and nation number one.
