We doubled UP's per capita income, made it India's second-largest economy

Yogi Adityanath was a five-time member of Parliament before he became chief minister of Uttar Pradesh—a crowning that came as a surprise to many in his own party. On March 19, 2021, exactly four years after he took oath, he spoke to THE WEEK about his government’s journey. Excerpts from an exclusive interview:

- PUJA AWASTHI

Q/ What is your biggest achievement in the last four years?

A/ In the last four years, we have changed the overall perception of Uttar Pradesh. Now people see the state in a very positive and constructive manner. They realise its strength and potential. This is a matter of pride for the state’s people and for me. I give credit for this to the Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji and to his leadership.

Q/ What are the specific sectors where the government’s achievements have been most remarkable?

A/ We have worked in every sector in these years. We have managed to create a sense of confidence in every citizen of the state towards the government and the administration. At the time of independence, the per capita income in the state was at par with the national average. In the last 70 years, it became one-third (of the national average). In the last four years, it has more than doubled. We are a state with the largest population, but as an economy we were fifth or sixth. Now, we are the country’s second-largest economy. On the Ease of Doing Business index, we have improved from the 14th position in 2016 to the second.

School education

In January 2019, the state launched a scheme laying out a clear definition of an out-of-school child and how to motivate principals and education department officials to bring children to schools. Principals, block-level education officers and district magistrates who ensured a 15 per cent rise in enrolment were rewarded.