In a stern move to protect the state's farmers, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has mandated the use of the stringent National Security Act (NSA) against individuals involved in the black marketing or sale of adulterated fertilisers. The directive came during a high-level review meeting with the state's Agriculture Department officials on Tuesday.
Crackdown on Agricultural Malpractices
The Chief Minister stated that accountability must be fixed, and action will be taken against the guilty irrespective of their position upon receiving information about any irregularities. He emphasised that the activities of field-level officers will be under strict surveillance. Should any collusion or negligence be discovered at any level, an open vigilance inquiry will be initiated immediately.
To ensure ground-level compliance, Adityanath has ordered District Magistrates, Additional District Magistrates, and Sub-Divisional Magistrates to conduct surprise inspections of fertiliser shops and cooperative societies. Furthermore, the Agriculture and Cooperation Ministers will review fertiliser availability and distribution daily, with the Chief Minister's Office directly monitoring the situation across all districts.
Driving the $1 Trillion Economy Vision
In a separate meeting focused on economic growth, CM Adityanath reviewed the progress towards the ambitious goal of transforming Uttar Pradesh into a $1 trillion economy. He instructed ministers of key departments to conduct monthly reviews of their works. For tighter oversight, he mandated that the Chief Secretary hold fortnightly reviews, while Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, and department heads must conduct weekly assessments.
Officials presented data showing Uttar Pradesh's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) reached Rs 29.78 lakh crore. The state's contribution to the national economy increased to 9% in 2024-25, up from 8.6% in 2022-23. It was reported that 93% of the GSDP target has been achieved, with concerted efforts underway to reach the goal of Rs 42 lakh crore.
The CM stressed the importance of timely data uploads and expedited data collection processes. He urged ministers and officers to maintain continuous coordination with Central government officials to ensure timely receipt of the central share of funds and the on-schedule utilisation of budget allocations.
Focus on Agriculture, Tourism, and Infrastructure
Highlighting agriculture as a cornerstone of the economy, Adityanath noted that UP contributes 21% of the country's total foodgrain production. The state's agricultural growth rate remains above 13%. He called for expediting work on seed parks and the UP Agri-Edge project, reiterating the government's objective of ensuring food security while boosting farmers' income.
On tourism, the meeting was informed that Uttar Pradesh witnessed a record influx of approximately 125 crore tourists by June this year. The CM ordered the upgrade of facilities at major pilgrimage centres like Garhmukteshwar and called for effective implementation of the homestay policy and promotion of the hotel industry.
Regarding infrastructure and welfare, Adityanath emphasised road safety, especially during foggy conditions. He instructed the Transport Department to rationalise registration fees for commercial vehicles and enhance bus service quality. He also directed officials to expedite the setting up of digital libraries at the gram panchayat level with high-quality computers and to set district-wise targets under the Chief Minister's Mass Marriage Scheme.
Sector-Wise Progress Reported
During the review, several departments reported positive developments. In the power sector, a reduction in electricity theft and technical losses has improved the performance of state power corporations. The industrial sector saw the addition of 7,000 new factories under the ASI (Annual Survey of Industries) framework, accelerating economic activity. Increased registration of companies and factories under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has further strengthened industrial development.
In education, salary adjustments for teachers and staff of government-aided schools have resulted in an additional increase of approximately Rs 0.60 lakh crore in the sector's Gross State Value Added (GSVA).
Chief Minister Adityanath concluded by directing the Planning Department to establish a robust weekly data collection mechanism from all departments to ensure real-time tracking and quality review of all identified development points.
