Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reiterated that those who damaged public and private property during anti-CAA protests would be severely dealt with and “no one would be allowed to take law in their hands in UP”.
“People have the right to protest. But no one has the right to damage public and private property in the process. The authorities would severely deal with such elements as it is the government’s duty to protect life and property of the citizens,” Yogi said at a function in Lucknow on Monday.
The chief minister’s statement came against the backdrop of the Bharatiya Janata Party government facing flak over putting up hoardings carrying pictures and addresses of people, who allegedly damaged property during protests against the new citizenship law in Lucknow on December 19.
“People opposing Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) should first read it as it is meant to give citizenship. There is not a single clause which talks about taking away citizenship of anyone,” Yogi said.
Talking about development of the state, the chief minister said that his government was implementing the policies of the Union government in toto and its result were clearly visible.
“The state, which was lagging behind in all development indices, is now galloping on the path of development. Investors who were previously leaving the state, have now started investing in UP because of the trust that this government has given to them,” he said.
Yogi claimed that the state government has made 1.37 lakh appointments in the last three years. He even claimed that the state generated over 35 lakh jobs because of fresh investments in the last three years.
“The first Investors’ Summit was organised in February 2018 and defence expo (DefExpo) was organised in February 2020. In two years, investments on a large-scale have been made. Besides, One District One Product (ODOP) scheme has been a great success. The result is that the per capita income of UP has gone up to Rs 70,000,” he said.
The chief minister said that connectivity was the biggest incentive for investment.
“Today, UP has seven airports and work is underway on 11 airports. Asia’s biggest airport is coming up in Jewar (Noida). Similarly, the government has spread the network of roads by starting the construction of Purvanchal Expressway, Bundelkhand Expressway and Ganga Expressway. This will make UP the most sought after destination,” Yogi said.