Daijiworld Media Network - Lucknow
Lucknow, Feb 16: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday lauded the state’s transformation since 2017, saying it has shed its former image of crime and unrest to emerge as a model of “technology, trust, and transformation.”
Addressing the Legislative Council during the debate on the Governor’s Address, CM Yogi criticized the opposition for what he described as disrespect toward constitutional traditions during the speech, asserting that such conduct undermines democratic institutions.
Highlighting the shift in law and order, he said curfews and riots are now a thing of the past, replaced by governance rooted in the “rule of law.” “Uttar Pradesh has moved from being a ‘fear zone’ to a ‘faith zone,’” he declared, citing the participation of over 40 lakh devotees in the Triveni bath during Mahashivratri as evidence of improved security. He also pointed to the deployment of more than 44,000 women in the police force, alongside modern training centers and barracks, as milestones in strengthening the state’s law enforcement infrastructure.
On the economic front, CM Yogi highlighted that the state, previously branded a “BIMARU” region, now contributes 9.5% to India’s GDP, with per capita income having tripled. He noted that no new taxes have been imposed in the past eight-and-a-half years, tax evasion has been curtailed, and the state has become revenue-surplus.
Industrial growth has also accelerated, with factories rising from 14,000 in 2017 to over 31,000 today. The One District One Product (ODOP) scheme has linked local producers to markets, while 96 lakh MSME units have created employment opportunities for youth. CM Yogi stressed that governments ignoring artisans face the same fate as previous parties like the Samajwadi Party.
Farmers, he said, now benefit from reduced input costs, higher output, and direct benefit transfers. Over Rs 95,000 crore has been disbursed under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, with sugarcane farmers receiving Rs 3.06 lakh crore. Additionally, 7,727 cow shelters are operational across the state.
In healthcare, the Chief Minister highlighted the One District, One Medical College initiative and an expanded medical infrastructure. The state has also strengthened forensic capabilities, with A-grade labs increasing from two to twelve, and six more under construction.
Reaffirming his government’s nationalist stance, CM Yogi emphasized mandatory respect for the national anthem and national song, warning that opposition to Vande Mataram will not be tolerated.