My purpose of existence is to serve people

INTERVIEW - YOGI ADITYANATH chief minister, Uttar Pradesh

- PUJA AWASTHI

Q/ What are your biggest achievements in the last five years?
A/ There are many achievements, but the biggest feather in the cap has been to change the perception of the state, both nationally and globally, by enforcing the rule of law and order in the state. Prior to 2017, there was a perception that mafia raj prevailed in UP. Poor law and order adversely affected development programmes. We have changed this.

Earlier, UP was known as a ‘BIMARU’ state. Now it is emerging as the number one among developed states in the country. It has become a favourite destination for both domestic and foreign investors. UP now is also the country’s second largest economy.

We have ensured infrastructure development, women’s safety and empowerment, better implementation of welfare programmes and good governance. Before 2017, traders and people of some pockets of the state had to migrate to other places. But after 2017, it is criminals who are leaving. The properties of the mafia are razed by bulldozers today. There is a safer environment for women. This is the first state to deploy women police personnel at all gram panchayats for joint patrolling. It is also the state that saw no riots or terror activity in the last five years, and the first state to use new technology to promote e-Prosecution.

Our GSDP was seventh in India in 2017. But in just five years, we helped our GSDP reach the second spot. In the Ease of Doing Business ranking, the state has climbed from the 14th to the second position. Prior to 2017, the unemployment rate in the state was as high as 17.1%, but we have brought it down to 3.1% (as per CMIE).