Outlook Outlook English, 16 April 2018 | Page 3

Uttar Pradesh - rising state Yogi Sarkar: An Year Full of Challenges Where there is a will there is a way’ Yogi Adityanath accepted the challenges. He steered an unprecedented growth and development in the state in just one year sidelining the critics... U ttar Pradesh - The largest state of the country continues to attract people from across the globe. So rich are the history, culture and beauty of this state in northern India that it has remained an unparalleled destination for several decades. Yogi Adityanath on taking charge as chief minister of Uttar Pradesh on 19 March 2017 had faced a major challenge of reviving the spirits and hopes of not just debt-ridden farmers but also large number of youth who were seeking quality education and better job opportunities within the state, the largest in the country. It was a challenge his government undertook with a pledge to put the state on the path of high growth while meeting the aspirations of the common man. Fulfilling the pledge was no easy task for the state government. The educational institutions in the state were lacking on many fronts - from proper facilities to a conducive atmosphere for imparting learning and conducting examinations. Prospective entrepreneurs faced major hurdles in getting finances and other support leading to a state where job creating ventures were failing to take off during previous regimes. The situation was compounded by inadequate power supplies and poor distribution infrastructure, which seemed to be biased against non-VIP areas. In fact, people in Bundelkhand region had started feeling neglected by the state administration. Farmers were burdened with debts while the common man was generally insecure due to increasing lawlessness in the state. Over the last one year, the state government has strived to fulfill its promises on all fronts, right from addressing the problems of farmers including debt redemption, improving the law and order situation, providing unbiased power supply, promoting industrial parks, ensuring upgradation of health and education facilities to impart better services to all. Achievements of the one year old government on all fronts speak of the hard work done by Yogi Adityanath’s team which comprises his ministers and dedicated officials who are working 24x7 to fulfill the promise of providing better governance. In keeping with the promise, the Yogi government has given a re-orientation to the areas where the work had been left unattended by the previous government. The youth in the state is finally moving towards a new growth-oriented direction with emerging employment opportunities. Similarly, the women who earlier felt unsafe have now finding a totally new environment that is not only secure but also full of opportunities, thanks to initiatives like ‘Anti Romeo Squads’. The focus on law and order has sent down a message that no one is above law as such no one will be spared for breaking the law. The government has also ensured a corruption free system in all departments and government bodies. The Chief Minister has gifted farmers with effective schemes for their welfare to usher in more positive environment along with the loan redemptions as promised. Efforts to push economic activities and woo industries to create jobs is paying off with top industrialists coming forward in large numbers. At the investors’ summit held by the state government, there were investment pledges totaling Rs 4.68 lakh crores.