Ajay Kumar I Lucknow
The Yogi government of Uttar Pradesh has completed three years of its second term, and in total, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has completed eight years in power. Yogi holds the record for the longest tenure as Chief Minister in the state. If the 24 crore population of Uttar Pradesh recalls the state of affairs before Yogi came into power, they will remember what the situation was like eight years ago. Uttar Pradesh was considered a “Bimaru” (backward) state. Communal violence, organized crime, and land grabbing by the mafia were the hallmarks of the Akhilesh Yadav government. Terrorists’ cases were withdrawn. Appeasement became the trademark of the Samajwadi Party government. Compensation for riot victims was distributed based on their religion during the Akhilesh government. SP leaders were not afraid to indulge in hooliganism, even in police stations. The derogatory remarks of Samajwadi leaders like Azam Khan were commonplace. Insulting Hindu deities became a habit for the Samajwadi government. Even after being out of power for eight years, Akhilesh’s politics remains unchanged. When it comes to development, Akhilesh can only talk about the Expressway and Metro in Lucknow, and little else.
There was a time when the people of the state were suffering, but now development is not tangled in files, but flourishing on the ground. Criminals are being eliminated, land grabbed by land mafia is being reclaimed, and organized criminals are being wiped out. In the last eight years, the Yogi government has succeeded in changing the perception of Uttar Pradesh. Once considered a “Bimaru” state, Uttar Pradesh is now recognized as the best destination for business and investment both in India and globally. Uttar Pradesh is now the ‘Growth Gear’ of India. We inherited a state plunged into anarchy, disorder, and crime. By providing a secure environment, robust infrastructure, easy connectivity, and investor-friendly policies, we have made the state a dream destination for investors. The investment proposals worth over 45 lakh crore rupees received in the past eight years confirm this. More than 15 lakh crore rupees of these investment proposals have been implemented, generating employment for over 60 lakh youth and creating jobs for countless others. It is a proven fact that development thrives only on the path of security, and smooth connectivity accelerates it. The ‘New Uttar Pradesh’ stands as a testament to this.
Great thinker Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya had said that the development of the person standing at the last rung of society is the true essence of “Antyodaya” (upliftment of the last person). Under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi, this sentiment is reflected in every scheme of the double-engine government. This is why in the last eight years, the state government has successfully lifted more than six crore people above the poverty line. The free grain distribution to 15 crore poor people every month, free gas connections to over 1.86 crore families, the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme benefiting over 2.86 crore farmers, the PM Jan Arogya Yojana providing health coverage up to five lakh rupees for 5.21 crore beneficiaries, and free housing for more than 56.50 lakh families are just some of the welfare schemes that have improved the lives of millions in the state. For the fulfillment of the housing pledge, the state is the first to provide residential pattas (land rights) to beneficiaries who did not own land under the PM Housing Scheme and CM Housing Scheme. This is “Antyodaya.”
From independence until 2017, the state had only 12 medical colleges. Today, Uttar Pradesh operates 44 government medical colleges and 36 private medical colleges, totaling 80 medical colleges. AIIMS has begun operations in Gorakhpur and Rae Bareli. The ‘One District-One Medical College’ concept is becoming a reality in Uttar Pradesh. The state has 122 operational sugar mills, and three new mills have been established since March 2017, with six mills being revived and 38 mills expanded, generating employment for approximately 1.25 lakh people directly and indirectly. In the last eight years, 46.50 lakh sugarcane farmers have been paid 2,80,223 crore rupees.
Programs like the CM Kanya Sumangala Yojana, the Destitute Women Pension Scheme, PM Matru Vandana Yojana, and PM Swanidhi Yojana have brought positivity into the lives of women. Over 95 lakh rural women have been linked to the Rural Livelihood Mission, and more than 2,510 fair price shops have been allocated to women’s self-help groups under the Public Distribution System. Additionally, residential records (gharouni) have been allocated in the name of women in rural areas, bringing respect and economic progress to women’s lives.
In the state, more than 96 lakh MSME units have worked to transform job seekers into job creators. The unemployment rate, which was 18% in 2016, has now decreased to 3%. Over 8.5 lakh youth have received government jobs through transparent processes, with more than 1.38 lakh women benefiting. For fair and transparent exam conduct, the Uttar Pradesh Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act has been implemented, restoring trust among students in the system. These eight years have been a historic phase for the enhancement of our faith, identity, economy, and cultural consciousness.
Most importantly, in these eight years, no new taxes have been levied in the state. Fuel prices for diesel and petrol are among the lowest in the country. Despite this, Uttar Pradesh is climbing the ladder of prosperity as a revenue surplus state. This success is attributed to the concept of Ram Rajya.
However, while many good works are happening under Yogi Raj, there are also claims that the state’s power has become concentrated in Yogi’s hands. Even BJP MPs and MLAs are allegedly not listened to. Yogi’s strict orders prohibit any legislator from making recommendations to officers or police stations, leading to a situation where the bureaucracy and police have become unaccountable. Although the Yogi government has taken several steps to attract investments and establish new industries, unemployment remains a significant challenge. Delays in government recruitment, paper leaks, and a lack of adequate jobs for youth remain major issues. While the government has made claims about curbing corruption, complaints of bribery and officers’ arrogance persist, particularly in the revenue department, police stations, and municipal bodies.
The rise in prices of petrol-diesel, food items, and daily essentials has burdened the public. Sugarcane farmers have faced delays in payments, crops have not been given fair prices, and electricity rates have risen, causing distress among farmers. While the government adopted a ‘thok do’ (hit them hard) policy to deal with criminals, accusations of police excesses, fake encounters, and abuse of innocent people have surfaced. Complaints regarding neglect of Dalits, backward classes, and the poor in police stations are also frequent.
While many government schemes have been announced, their benefits have not reached all the needy. Issues of corruption and favoritism in the PM Housing Scheme, free ration scheme, and self-employment schemes have been widely reported. Overall, while the Yogi government has received much praise, there are still those who feel that under Yogi Raj, the common people are suffering, and their grievances remain unheard.
