Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Thursday that by December 2023, 1.25 crore families in Uttar Pradesh would be given ownership rights of leased land under the PM SVAMITVA scheme.

The chief minister said this while addressing the Scheduled Caste/Tribe Conference organised at the Numaish Maidan in Aligarh. During this, he inaugurated/laid the foundation stones of 208 development projects worth Rs 497 crore. The chief minister also distributed certificates to the beneficiaries of various schemes.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Yogi said, “Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the nation has embarked on a remarkable journey of transformation and development over the past nine and a half years.”

The chief minister underscored that during this period, the country had witnessed the emergence of a new India, where every segment of society was offered the opportunity to progress with dignity, free from the shackles of caste, creed, religion, region, or language.

“This ethos is embodied in the spirit of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, which guides our actions,” he added.

Chief Minister Yogi further said, “We align ourselves with the ideals instilled by Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya.”

The chief minister emphasised that economic progress should be measured not by the prosperity of those at the pinnacle of society but by the advancement of the most underprivileged. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was unwavering in his commitment to actualising this vision.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath pointed out the substantial improvements made in the lives of individuals belonging to Scheduled Castes and Tribes. “Before the year 2017, people belonging to Scheduled Castes and Tribes used to face an identity crisis. They no longer grapple with the identity crisis due to the combined efforts of the double-engine government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The government’s efforts are dedicated to realising the harmonious society envisioned by Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar throughout the country, exemplifying the essence of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat,” he said.

“The construction of the grand temple of Lord Shri Ram in Ayodhya is going on. There have been significant transformations at Baba Vishwanath Dham. The sacred birthplace of Maharishi Valmiki is being revitalised in Lalpur, and substantial beautification projects are being carried out in the holy birthplace of Saint Ravidas,” Yogi said.

The chief minister highlighted the government’s accomplishments in terms of enhancing security for peaceful celebration of festivals and implementing government schemes effectively. “Technology is harnessed to eliminate corruption by transferring funds directly to beneficiaries through DBT, and E-POS machines are employed to ensure fair distribution of ration,” he said.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also elaborated on various schemes, such as PM Vishwakarma, Vishwakarma Shram Samman, Mukhyamantri Samuhik Vivah Yojana, Kanya Sumangala, and farmer accident insurance, aimed at integrating the marginalised and impoverished into the state’s mainstream.

The chief minister noted that there are 75 lakh families in the state who have been provided possession of the land where they reside and by December 2023, one crore 25 lakh families of Uttar Pradesh will be given ownership rights of leased land under the PM SVAMITVA Yojana.

Furthermore, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to transforming the places associated with Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar into revered pilgrimage sites, whether in Mau, Delhi, or Mumbai, or in the building in England where he received higher education, or in Nagpur’s Deeksha Bhoomi. “All these locations have been established as Panch Tirtha,” he said.

He also pointed out that the Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar International Centre is being established in Lucknow, offering scholarships to Scheduled Castes and Tribes youth for higher education and competitive examinations. The initiative for advanced studies is in its final stages, he added.

He said, “In cases where individuals belonging to the Scheduled Caste/Tribe are residing on land that does not fall under the reserved category, the double-engine government will take steps to grant them a lease of that land for constructing a house. For those on reserved category land, we will ensure suitable arrangements for their rehabilitation, including the provision of additional land. It is our unwavering commitment that the administration will not partake in any endeavours to uproot impoverished and marginalised individuals from the Scheduled Caste and Tribe communities, as the double-engine government steadfastly stands by your side.”

Following his address, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath personally oversaw the ongoing construction of Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh State University in Aligarh. During his inspection, he gave specific instructions to ensure the university’s timely completion without compromising on the construction quality.