Yogi Adityanath's Vision for Uttar Pradesh: Transforming into a $1-Trillion Economy with Zero-Tolerance Policy

The BJP leader emphasized that development cannot occur without the restoration of law and order.

New Delhi:

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has stated that Uttar Pradesh should transform into a $1-trillion economy by 2029-30, highlighting that restoring law and order in the state was essential to initiate this developmental journey.

Addressing the topic of encounters becoming something Uttar Pradesh has exported nationwide, the Chief Minister remarked that the earth should be relieved of those who have become burdens on the system, affirming his government's zero-tolerance policy.

Speaking in Hindi at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit on Saturday, Yogi Adityanath, who holds the distinction of being Uttar Pradesh's longest-serving chief minister, discussed what he considers his greatest achievement across his two terms, how his administration assisted home buyers, and his vision for the state.

When asked to identify a "masterstroke" from his two terms as chief minister, the BJP leader acknowledged the difficulty in selecting just one, but expressed gratitude for witnessing the Ram Mandir's foundation stone ceremony, its construction, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's hoisting of the 'Dharma Dhwaj' (flag) at the temple the previous week.

"It was an important moment in my life when, after 500 years, the foundation stone for the construction of the temple at the Ram Janmabhoomi was laid in Ayodhya by PM Modi. After 500 years, a Ram Temple was constructed in Ayodhya and the 'Dharam Dhwaj' was hoisted. These were three events, and I have three generations associated with the movement... As the chief minister, I have been fortunate to dedicate that service at the feet of the Lord. I have been blessed with an opportunity to do my duty towards my heritage, my country and my religion," Yogi Adityanath said.

When questioned if Kashi and Mathura - referencing the Gyanvapi mosque dispute in Varanasi and the Krishna Janmabhoomi dispute - are next, the BJP leader responded, "we will get everywhere, we are everywhere".

"Every society should be proud of its heritage and these efforts are in that direction. We are grateful to the Supreme Court for its order (on the Ram Temple)... And today (December 6) is an important day. The disputed structure (Babri Mosque), which was a 'kalank' (blot), was removed and the way was paved for a heritage to be reestablished," he said.

"For the development of the country, to present a new example to the future generation, this (Ram Janmabhoomi) campaign, this movement, all of these were necessary. Whatever happens in the future, we will play an active role in this form," he added.

Development, Law And Order

Addressing the development roadmap for Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath noted that the Prime Minister has established a target for India to become a $5-trillion economy by 2027 and a $30-trillion economy by 2047. This goal, he explained, can only be achieved when India's most populous state also contributes, mentioning that the Uttar Pradesh Assembly conducted a continuous 27-hour discussion in August to develop a vision document.

"Our goal is that, by 2029-30, Uttar Pradesh will become a $1-trillion economy and a $6-trillion economy by 2047. And Uttar Pradesh will definitely achieve it. We have seen progress on this in three years. The progress of the last three years is in this direction and I believe we will achieve a developed India, developed Uttar Pradesh; self-reliant India, self-reliant Uttar Pradesh," he said.

The chief minister pointed out that investing in Uttar Pradesh was considered meaningless eight years ago because, "When a person himself is not safe, how will his investment be safe?"

To address this issue, he explained that his government implemented a zero-tolerance policy toward crime and criminals, toward corruption and the corrupt, and he feels satisfied when observing a significantly improved law-and-order situation today.

Encounters

When informed that after a rape in Maharashtra, the accused was shot in the leg and someone on television suggested a "full encounter" should have occurred, and asked whether Uttar Pradesh has exported this model alongside development, the chief minister reaffirmed his zero-tolerance policy.

"See, the earth should be freed of the burden of people who are burdening the system. This freedom from burden is not for the earth alone, but also for the people themselves. We said zero tolerance. And we often say that if you play with the safety of our daughter, then a 'yamaraj' will be waiting for you at the next crossroads, to cut your ticket to hell, and your path to hell is decided," Yogi Adityanath said.

"Because every person wants justice, and wants timely justice. Whichever path this justice may take. And the audacity of the criminals, the mafia should be stopped... If their language is different, we will have to explain things to them in their language. And we have done that," he added.

The chief minister asserted that Uttar Pradesh is now mafia-free and is no longer associated with 'one district, one mafia', but instead with 'one district, one product' and 'one district, one college'.

Infrastructure, Housing

Yogi Adityanath mentioned his government's focus on infrastructure development, evidenced by Metros, expressways, and airports.

"And now, we are going to inaugurate the biggest airport in the country in the next two months, the Noida International Airport," he said.

Another priority area, the BJP leader noted, is urbanization, with numerous housing reforms implemented for this purpose.

"We have solved the problem of builders and buyers. When we came to power, there were 3.5 lakh buyers in Noida and Greater Noida alone, whose money was stuck with builders. We took action on this and 1.25 lakh people got their houses in the first year itself... I am happy to say most buyers have got their houses," he said.

Women, the BJP leader stated, are now feeling safe in Uttar Pradesh and are benefiting from both state and central government schemes.