UP transformed from a 'Bimaru' state to economic powerhouse: Yogi Adityanath

NEW DELHI: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said that the state, once labeled "Bimaru," has now emerged as the driving force behind India's economic advancement.
Speaking at a press conference in Lucknow, celebrating eight years of BJP-led National Democratic Alliance governance, he credited the state's transformation to "PM Modi's policies of service, security and good governance".
CM Adityanath said, "UP was considered among the BIMARU states 8 years ago, people only knew it as a labour-power, today it has emerged as the growth engine of the nation's economic development. Before 2017, agriculture was completely neglected in Uttar Pradesh."
"UP has an abundance of agricultural possibilities and water resources... We could have grown as a basket of agricultural production in the country. We could have multiplied farmers' income with the help of technology. But before 2017, farmers were committing suicide. Farmer welfare schemes had been pending for 4 decades and the sector was on a decline. Reforms under the ‘double-engine government’ changed the situation significantly," he added.
The chief minister further said that the state's agricultural growth increased from approximately 5 per cent in 2016-17 to over 13.5 per cent currently. He pointed that his government's initial cabinet decision to waive Rs 36,000 crore in farmers' loans initiated the state's economic recovery.
Food grain production showed remarkable improvement, rising from 557 lakh metric tonnes in 2016-17 to exceeding 668 lakh metric tonnes last year, marking nearly 20 per cent growth, he added.
Earlier, deputy chief ministers Brajesh Pathak and Keshav Prasad Maurya praised the state's achievements in maintaining law and order, advancing infrastructure, and achieving "new heights of progress."
Speaking in Lucknow, Maurya said, "These eight years have been historic in terms of UP achieving new heights of progress."
"For the third time as well, the BJP government will be formed in Uttar Pradesh with a huge majority, and in 2027, we will repeat 2017, that is, we will make more than 300 lotus flowers bloom in UP," he added.
Meanwhile, Pathak noted that "the slogan of fear-free governance given by the BJP in 2017 has been fulfilled today. The law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh is number one in the country."
Yogi Adityanath assumed UP's chief minister office in 2017 after BJP selected the five-term Gorakhpur MP to lead the government, which secured 312 of 403 seats.
In the 2022 assembly elections, BJP maintained power, securing 255 seats, with strong performances from allies. This achievement established Adityanath as UP's first Chief Minister to secure consecutive terms.
(With input from agencies)