Uttar Pradesh, which was once seen as a backward state, has now become the driving force behind India's economic growth, said Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday. He attributed the state's development to "Prime Minister Narendra Modi's policies of service, security, and good governance" during a press conference held in Lucknow to commemorate the eighth anniversary of the National Democratic Alliance government, which is led by the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Adityanath recalled that before 2017, Uttar Pradesh was considered one of the underdeveloped states in India, also known as a 'BIMARU' state. However, in the past eight years, it has become a key contributor to the country's economy, leading in several sectors. The chief minister claimed that Uttar Pradesh's agriculture has been totally disregarded prior to 2017. Farmers have been having a hard time, and the industry was declining. According to him, the situation was drastically altered by the "double-engine government" reforms. The state's agricultural growth rate was about 5% in 2016-17 but has now increased to over 13.5%, he said.

Adityanath explained that the state's economic progress started with his government's first cabinet decision, which waived Rs 36,000 crore in farmers' loans. The state's agricultural growth rate, which was around 5 per cent in 2016-17, has now increased to over 13.5 per cent. Adityanath mentioned that the state's economic improvement started with the first decision of his government, which waived Rs 36,000 crore in farmers' loans. As a result, food grain production, which was 557 lakh metric tonnes in 2016-17, grew to over 668 lakh metric tonnes last year, showing a nearly 20 per cent increase. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath criticised previous governments for weakening law enforcement. He claimed they disbanded the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), making it easier for rioters to act freely.

He emphasised that police now respond faster to emergency calls under his leadership. He also mentioned that the BJP-led NDA government has hired many new officers to fill old vacancies in the police force. "Those who encouraged lawlessness in the past allowed criminals to flourish. We revived the PAC and also raised three battalions of women personnel to restore order," he said at the presser held to mark eight years of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in Uttar Pradesh. "Before 2017, the average response time for UP 112 distress calls was 25 minutes and 42 seconds. Today, it has come down to seven minutes and 24 seconds, ensuring swift action and public safety," he added. 

Meanwhile, in response to a query about recruitment in the police force, he said, "When we took charge, over 1.5 lakh positions in the police department were vacant, creating doubts among the public and the judiciary about the government's intentions. We have since recruited 1.56 lakh personnel, and an additional 60,200 officers are set to complete their training soon." The chief minister claims that law and order have significantly improved as a result of these initiatives.

"Before 2017, Uttar Pradesh faced a law-and-order crisis, and young people struggled with an identity crisis," he said, adding that systematic policing reforms had restored confidence in the state's governance. The Chief Minister highlighted the Maha Kumbh as an example of strong law enforcement, emphasising that during the 45-day religious gathering, there were no reports of crime, looting, harassment, or kidnappings. "Over 66 crore devotees attended, and not a single person felt unsafe. This is what a government committed to law and order can achieve," he said.