Uttar Pradesh was considered a burden due to “economic distress, poor infrastructure, and lawlessness” before 2017, but has emerged as India’s “economic powerhouse” under his regime, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said while responding to the discussion on the Governor’s address in the Assembly on Friday, the fifth day of the Budget Session.
Highlighting the State’s “economic rise, infrastructure growth, improved law and order, and public welfare measures”, Mr. Adityanath said, “What was the situation before 2017? Mafia and criminals nurtured by the patronage of power were running a parallel government. Goonda tax, illegal extortion, and the ‘one district, one mafia’ trend were being promoted. The law had become the fiefdom of a few. Curfews and riots were common. Festivals and celebrations were synonymous not with faith, but fear. Earlier, neither daughters nor businessmen were safe. Police morale was shattered. The State had become synonymous with anarchy and instability. Today, Uttar Pradesh is in a state of celebration, not turmoil.”
‘Fear-free environment’
The Chief Minister said “zero tolerance towards crime and criminals” is clearly visible in Uttar Pradesh today. “Strong law and order has transformed the State from a fear zone to a faith zone. Curfew culture has been replaced by zero-tolerance culture. Riots are now being replaced with festival and temple economy. Now, there is neither curfew nor riots… everything is fine in U.P. Today, women enjoy security and businesses enjoy a fear-free environment. More than 219,000 police personnel have been recruited, with 20% of these positions mandated for women. Before 2017, Uttar Pradesh Police had 10,000 women personnel; today it has increased to nearly 44,000,” he said.
