A year of intense struggle with Covid-19 pandemic has passed. I remember the day of the Janata curfew when His Excellency the President and the Vice-President spoke to me on the phone about the preparation of the state amid the deepening crisis. They were concerned about how a huge state like UP with a dense population and poor health infrastructure will cope with this epidemic. But I assured them that UP would do its best to contain and combat the virus.
We formed two teams — one consisting of members of the council of ministers and the other of officials called Team-11. Everyone’s responsibility was fixed. The situation of the pandemic across the state was minutely reviewed on a daily basis and prompt action was ensured wherever and whenever needed. The condition of UP workers in other states and the problems faced by them was constantly monitored, while we also catered to the needs of the people residing in the state. I have a sense of immense spiritual satisfaction while writing today that the whole of UP remained united in this global war.
Moving on the path of development, the per capita income has gone up from Rs 47,116 in 2015-16 to Rs 94,495 today. More than 40 lakh families got housing and 1.4 crore families got electricity connection in just four years. Five expressways are getting ready to accelerate development whereas defence corridors are being built to make the country self-sufficient in the field of defence production.
The result of the changing environment is that UP is the first choice of investors today. It was not an easy task to rise to number two in the national ranking of the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ within four years, but we did it. Today, our government is also focusing on the ‘Ease of Living’. Our Prime Minister has dreamt of a ‘self-reliant India’. He is pursuing the goal of making the country a US $5 trillion economy and UP expresses its commitment to achieve this noble goal.
As we are marching towards becoming $1 trillion economy, our target in the coming year is to become the largest economy in terms of the GSDP. The ODOP and MSME would be our growth engines to generate employment. Doubling the income of farmers is our primary target. We will extend all technological support to them and help them diversify. Area under irrigation will be increased to ensure per drop more crop.
These four years have been very satisfying for me on the work front and spiritually and have literally flown in the service of the state and its people. And today as I stand as the chief minister of the state, I am of the firm belief that good work carried out with good intent and honesty in the larger interest of people is bound to succeed, come what may.
(The writer is the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh)