Double-engine government has ended identity crisis faced by the people of Uttar Pradesh: CM

Din in Assembly over Shiksha Mitras’ ‘insult’, Basic Education Minister Sandeep Singh demands apology from SP MLA

Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that the Samajwadi Party only focused on dividing the people of the state and never made efforts to make them self-reliant. He added that no meaningful steps were taken for their welfare, which forced many to migrate.

The CM was speaking in the Legislative Council on Tuesday. Highlighting the state’s rapid infrastructure development, he said, “Many corridors have been constructed in the state. One corridor connects Prayagraj to Kashi via Maa Vindhyavasini Dham, while another has been developed around Gorakhpur. Similar corridors have also been built around Ayodhya, Lucknow, and Naimisharanya, as well as in the Mathura-Vrindavan region.”

CM Yogi mentioned that these developments are attracting crores of devotees from across the country and the world. He remarked that visitors are leaving with a positive impression of Uttar Pradesh. “This is the same Uttar Pradesh where people once hesitated to reveal their identity, but today, they take pride in it,” he added.

The Chief Minister stated that there was a time when people from Uttar Pradesh faced discrimination, even in lodging facilities, and young people had to hide their identity. However, under the double-engine government, this identity crisis has ended, and the state’s perception has significantly improved. He highlighted that the Mahakumbh has played a major role in elevating Uttar Pradesh’s global recognition.

CM Yogi also emphasized the significance of 2025 as the Amrit Mahotsav year of the Constitution, marking 75 years since its implementation on January 26, 1950. He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for establishing five pilgrimage sites dedicated to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. “Our government is going to build a State Sanskrit Center in the name of Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar in Lucknow,” he added.

He stated that this year marks the 300th birth anniversary of Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar, and the government has made special budgetary provisions in her honor. Additionally, it is the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda and the centenary year of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

“It is the good fortune of our government that we have worked to honor all these pioneers associated with social justice,” he said. Furthermore, the government is working on revamping the sacred sites of Sant Ravidas in Kashi, Maharishi Valmiki in Shastri Lalpur, and Sant Tulsidas in Rajapur, giving them a grand new identity.

CM Yogi also reminded that this year marks the centenary of the Kakori Train Action, and the government is paying tribute to the revolutionary freedom fighters who played a key role in India’s independence.

The CM then stated that this year is also the Amrit Mahotsav year of Uttar Pradesh’s foundation. He highlighted that on January 24, 1950, the official notification for renaming the state as Uttar Pradesh was issued. However, the state’s foundation day was never celebrated until January 24, 2018, when his government organized it for the first time.

“Our government implemented the One District One Product scheme, which is one of the most successful initiatives in India today. The Prime Minister has termed it as the foundation stone of self-reliant India. The scheme has created millions of jobs, strengthened exports, and contributed significantly to the state’s economy,” he added.

The CM mentioned that the government launched the Vishwakarma Shram Samman Yojana in 2019 aimed at recognizing and supporting artisans and craftsmen who play a vital role in the rural economy. He criticized previous governments, for neglecting these workers and forcing them into migration instead of making them self-reliant.

He stated that his government provided structured training in 16 categories, facilitated easy bank loans, and ensured skill development. Today, the initiative has expanded at the national level through the PM Vishwakarma scheme.

CM Yogi stated that the government has dedicated each year to a specific cause for the development of Uttar Pradesh. In 2020, the government focused on women empowerment, launching several programs for women’s safety, dignity, and self-reliance. The year 2021 was dedicated to youth development, where efforts were made to enhance technical skills by providing tablets and smartphones to young individuals.

“In 2022, the state celebrated Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and the 100th anniversary of the Chauri Chaura movement, marking a tribute to India’s freedom struggle. In 2023, the government prioritized investment and employment, organizing the Global Investors Summit, one of India’s most successful summits, which attracted Rs 40 lakh crore in investment proposals,” he added.

The CM further highlighted that the year 2024 marked a historic milestone with the grand construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, ending a 500-year-long wait. Looking ahead, 2025 is significant for both the Mahakumbh and the launch of the Mukhyamantri Yuva Udyami Yojana on January 24, 2025.

He mentioned that this scheme aims to create 1 lakh young entrepreneurs within a year. In just one month, 96 lakh applications were received, with over 76 lakh cleared and 24,000 loans processed. More than 6,000 applicants have already received their loans. Under this initiative, Rs 5 lakh interest-free loans will be provided in the first phase, followed by Rs 10 lakh in the second phase. The entire process is being carried out in a transparent manner to ensure maximum benefit for the youth.

The CM stated that the government is making rapid progress in establishing a university in every division of Uttar Pradesh. Currently, Maa Shakumbhari University in Saharanpur and Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh University in Aligarh are operational.

He highlighted that the government has also initiated universities named after Maa Shakumbhari in Saharanpur, Raja Mahendra Pratap in Aligarh, Maharaja Suheldev in Azamgarh, Maa Vindhyavasini in Mirzapur, Maa Pateshwari in Devipatan Mandir, and Guru Jambheshwar in Moradabad division. Among these, three universities have already started operations, while the remaining three will commence in the upcoming academic session.

“In Kushinagar, an Agricultural and Technology University is being established in the name of Mahatma Buddha. The Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Divyang University in Chitrakoot has been recognized as a state university and is now being operated by the government. Along with public universities, the government is also working on a policy to promote private universities, leading to the establishment of several institutions on a large scale,” he added.

Before 2017, mass migration drained towns across Uttar Pradesh: CM Yogi

Lucknow : “In the Legislative Council, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath highlighted the sharp contrast in Uttar Pradesh’s law and order before 2017 and today.

He remarked: “Before 2017, lawlessness prevailed, with riots breaking out every other day. Safety was a major concern—daughters were insecure, and people were forced to migrate. Entire towns were vacated due to deteriorating conditions. However, the post-2017 administration ushered in a transformative change, making Uttar Pradesh a benchmark for law and order in the country.

CM Yogi, while presenting the NCRB data, said, “Compared to the year 2016, currently there has been a reduction of 84.41 percent in robbery incidents, 77.43 percent in loot, 41.01 percent in murder, 66.04 percent in riot incidents, 54.72 percent in kidnapping for ransom, 17.08 percent in dowry murder, and 26.15 percent in rape incidents.”

He emphasized that Uttar Pradesh leads the nation in ensuring swift punishment for criminals involved in crimes against women.

Under police reforms, the Police Commissionerate System—discussed since 1973—was successfully implemented for the first time in Lucknow, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Kanpur, Varanasi, Agra, Ghaziabad, and Prayagraj. New ATS field units have been established in several districts, including Deoband, Bahraich, Aligarh, and Kanpur.

Further strengthening security, three women PAC battalions have been set up in Lucknow, Gorakhpur, and Badaun, with five more PAC battalions underway in Balrampur, Jalaun, Mirzapur, Shamli, and Bijnor.

The CM said that a Special Security Force has been formed, which can contribute to the metro and airport security. Its six battalions have been formed. The government has formed ANTF. Advanced Cyber ​​Forensic Lab has been established in Cyber ​​Crime Headquarters Lucknow, Basic Cyber ​​Forensic Lab at 18 area police stations and Cyber ​​Crime Police Stations in 57 districts.

He added, “Cyber cells have been made functional in 75 districts. A cyber help desk has been formed in every police station. A Uttar Pradesh State Forensic Institute has also been formed in Uttar Pradesh. It is currently operational. In Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment, 1,56,000 recruitments have been completed for various posts since 2017. Currently, 60,200 police personnel are being recruited, and training will begin next month. At the same time, 30,000 other new recruitments are coming soon.”

He added, “Along with this, by providing state-of-the-art technology and excessive weapons to ATS, 130 terrorists and 171 Rohingyas have been arrested till 2017. There has been an unprecedented improvement in law and order in the state compared to 2017. The response time of UP 112, which was 25 minutes 42 seconds earlier, has been reduced to 7 minutes 24 seconds today. More than 11 lakh CCTV cameras have been installed under Operation Trinetra.”

CM said, “Under Operation Conviction, from July 2023 to December 2024, 51 accused have been sentenced to death, 6287 accused to life imprisonment, 1091 accused to imprisonment for more than 20 years, 3068 accused to 19 years and 57,885 accused to 9 years and 51 thousand 748 accused to 5 years.”

He added, “From 19 November 19, 2019 till now, 31 mafia and 74 organized criminals have been sentenced to life imprisonment separately by effectively advocating for the pending action against the identified mafia gangs in courts. Along with this, two have been sentenced to death.”

CM said, “Under Mission Shakti, a 20 percent reservation facility was provided for police recruitment. In 2018, 14.02 percent of the women in the state workforce were female, which has increased to 35.01 percent. The Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana has benefited 22 lakh 11,000 girls. Similarly, through various pension schemes, including the destitute women pension scheme, Rs 1000 per month, i.e. Rs 12000 per year, is being given. The government is working to provide this pension facility to more than one crore four lakh families.”

He added, “Under the Mukhyamantri Samuhik Vivah Yojana, marriage ceremonies of 3 lakh 22 thousand couples have been completed. Apart from this, various other types of programs are being run at the level of the state and central governments, including Namo Drone Didi, women’s self-help groups, Nano Urea, and Nano DP and training is being given by providing equipment on rent for spraying agricultural chemicals.”

Lucknow : A controversy erupted on the sixth day of the assembly session over a Samajwadi Party MLA’s objectionable remark about Shiksha Mitras. Basic Education Minister Sandeep Singh strongly objected to the SP MLA’s comparison of Shiksha Mitras with animals, calling it shameful and a recurring pattern in SP’s conduct.

He demanded a public apology from the opposition and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the dignity and welfare of Shiksha Mitras.

While the assembly episode underscores the Yogi government’s commitment to protecting the interests of Shiksha Mitras, the political atmosphere has heated up over the objectionable remark by the SP MLA. It remains to be seen whether the opposition will apologize or escalate the political debate further.

During the discussion on Shiksha Mitras, ruling party MLAs strongly opposed the objectionable remark made by the SP MLA. Basic Education Minister Sandeep Singh condemned it as an insult to Shiksha Mitras, stating that SP has a history of being insensitive towards them.

He remarked, “This is not the first time the opposition has insulted Shiksha Mitras. During the SP regime, they were neglected. The opposition must stand in the assembly and apologize to them.” He asserted that the government is fully committed to protecting the dignity and rights of Shiksha Mitras and will not tolerate such disrespectful statements.

Targeting the SP government, Minister Sandeep Singh pointed out that before 2017, basic infrastructure was lacking in government schools. He stated, “Had the SP government worked on improving government schools, we wouldn’t have needed initiatives like ‘Operation Kayakalp’.”

He added that the opposition has repeatedly made insulting remarks about Shiksha Mitras, and this is not the first time they have been compared to animals. Such insensitive remarks have been made in the assembly before as well.

The Basic Education Minister reaffirmed that the Yogi government has always been sensitive to the concerns of Shiksha Mitras. In this regard, their honorarium, which was just Rs 3,500 until 2017, was increased to Rs 10,000, providing them with financial stability.

Additionally, changes were made in the transfer policy to allow Shiksha Mitras posted in remote areas to choose their preferred location, helping them balance their personal and professional lives.

The Minister emphasized that the government values the contribution of Shiksha Mitras and stands firmly with them. The aim is to make them self-reliant and strengthen the education system further.