(FE)
Foundation stones were laid for 81 projects worth Rs 60,000 crore in Lucknow by the Prime Minister, screamed headlines in most dailies a few days ago. It was entirely the Uttar Pradesh government show, attracting considerable media attention. The 81 projects, distributed across the state and located in some major cities, would have involved the PM taking over a week if he did it individually. So, it was a grand ceremony of a ‘virtual’ foundation stone-laying in Lucknow, attended by the crème de la crème of the Indian economy—who have all expressed a desire to invest in a state that had, until a few years ago, been almost written off.
It was also a measure of the confidence the captains of industry have in PM Narendra Modi, chief minister Yogi Adityanath and home minister Rajnath Singh, that their investments would be safe from the vagaries of political upheavals. Significantly, the home minister has publicly stated that, if needed, ‘extra’ security would be provided. Historically, UP has thrown up most of the prime ministers with the largest number of MPs being returned to Lok Sabha, and Modi too appears to have a game-plan to make an impact by putting all economic and industrial eggs in the UP basket, instead of spreading them thin all over India.
By replicating Gujarat’s industry and business-friendly environment, he hopes to make UP a preferred destination for foreign entities also. CM Adityanath’s crusade over the last three years to rid UP of criminal elements and muscle men of all hues has hopefully created an environment where the rule of law and safety of life and property is paramount.
