Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group, said that since he had last visited Uttar Pradesh 12 years ago, there had been appreciable development in the state and praised the determination and energy of the state’s chief minister.
Banga met Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow on Friday.
He said that UP had a big role to play in India becoming a developed nation and that a developed UP was the building block of a developed India. He praised three areas specifically- basic infrastructure, strong law and order and powerful connectivity. Banga said that Yogi Adityanath’s vision had catapulted UP to new heights.
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Better infrastructure and improved law and order had made the state an ideal investment destination.
He also said that farmers could not become rich by selling off their lands but must be encouraged to practice profitable agriculture through modern agricultural practices and innovations. He labelled agriculture the ‘backbone’ of the state’s economy and noted the positive changes that had been brought about in the sector.
Banga also spoke about the tourism possibilities in the state- specifically mentioning religious, cultural and eco-tourism. These, he said, could place the state on the global map of tourism. He also mentioned that the cuisine and handicrafts of the state was popular not just in the country but the world over.
He labelled as a ‘game changer’ the state government’s initiatives to develop skills among the young. He was also full of praise for a government programme which provides ready-made, nutritious meals to expectant mothers- much like the mid-day meal programme.
In the meeting, which was also attended by senior ministers such as Finance Minister Suresh Khanna, Agriculture Minister, Surya Pratap Shahi and Jal Shakti Minister Swatantra Dev Singh, Banga also voiced his appreciation for the government’s initiatives in the health and education sectors.
For all of these, he said, the CM’s ‘clear vision’ was to be commended.
