Uttar Pradesh: ‘Faith, Governance And Employment Have Transformed UP,’ Says CM Yogi Adityanath; Claims State Has Moved Beyond BIMARU Image

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath declared on September 3, 2026, that the state has transcended its once infamous BIMARU image, attributing its transformation to a confluence of faith, governance, and employment. "Uttar Pradesh is now moving rapidly ahead in law and order, infrastructure, investment, employment, agriculture, education, and religious tourism," Adityanath proclaimed.

The government has forged connections between faith and the economy, local products with global markets, education and employment, and improved connectivity with investment, he emphasized.

During a discussion on the Panchayat Aaj Tak programme in Mathura, the Chief Minister detailed various achievements, including the provision of government jobs to 9.5 lakh youth. Transparency and adherence to reservation criteria have been upheld throughout the recruitment process, he said. The administration has also taken strict measures against those attempting to manipulate the examination system and has implemented stringent anti-cheating protocols.

Adityanath stressed that employment opportunities extend beyond government jobs, with nearly 65 lakh youth associated with MSMEs and ODOP. He announced the development of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Skilling and Employment Zones in every district to further strengthen the job market. The cornerstone of development, according to the Chief Minister, is the rule of law. He cited Kairana as an example, highlighting how the establishment of a secure environment has boosted public confidence and attracted investment.

The CM placed particular emphasis on the link between religious tourism and employment. He explained that visitors to religious sites spend on various local products, transportation, and accommodation, thereby generating livelihood for many families. Major religious destinations like Braj, Ayodhya, Kashi, and others have attracted nearly 11 crore devotees last year.

He also highlighted the potential of linking Ayodhya, Kashi, Mathura-Vrindavan, Barsana, Gokul, Govardhan, Shukrteerth, and Buddhist and Jain sites to the broader tourism industry.

ODOP (One District, One Product) was described as a pivotal initiative to bolster the local economy. The program identifies and connects traditional products from districts with markets, technology, packaging, design, and connectivity. Examples included Firozabad's glassware, Moradabad's brassware, Aligarh's hardware, Lucknow's chikankari, Meerut's sports goods, Saharanpur's woodwork, Bhadohi's carpets, Varanasi's sarees, Gorakhpur's terracotta, and Siddharthnagar's Kala Namak rice. These local products are now finding markets both nationally and internationally.

Yogi Adityanath also discussed improvements in agriculture, describing it as the backbone of Uttar Pradesh's economy. He noted that the state's agricultural growth rate has improved significantly, even though it possesses only about 11 percent of India's cultivable land. Uttar Pradesh contributes nearly 21 percent of India's foodgrain production.

He reported that the sugarcane price payments to farmers have reached Rs 3.26 lakh crore, with sugarcane prices reaching up to Rs 400 per quintal. Notably, 122 sugar mills are operational, and none have been shut down in the past nine and a half years, with payments made within four days.

Education infrastructure improvements were underscored as critical for the state's future. The Chief Minister reported that before 2017, many schools lacked basic facilities such as toilets, drinking water, buildings, and furniture. Under Operation Kayakalp, 1.36 lakh out of 1.46 lakh Basic Education schools have been upgraded. The provision of two uniforms, bags, books, shoes, socks, and sweaters to nearly 1.60 crore children has also been made.

Dropout rates have plummeted from 19-20 percent to less than three percent. Additionally, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas have been extended up to Class 12, and models like Chief Minister Composite Schools and Atal Residential Schools have been developed to enhance educational facilities.