UP CM Adityanath: ODOP scheme to help UP become USD 1 trillion economy

The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has said his government's "one district, one product" (ODOP) scheme will play an important role in turning the state into a USD 1 trillion economy by 2024. "The MSME sector already existed but was neglected for the last 15-20 years without government support. We started the 'one district, one product' scheme and encouraging results have already started pouring in," the chief minister said on Wednesday night. Pointing out the spurt in export from the state in 2018-19 after the launch of the scheme, Adityanath said, "Export of Bhadohi carpets has doubled from Rs 4,000 crore to Rs 8,000 crore." "Most of the districts have their own signature industry. The districts too should fix some target to contribute to this goal of making the state a USD 1 trillion economy," he said.

On PM Modi's vision

Speaking about PM Modi's vision to become a USD 5 trillion economy, Yogi said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set a vision for India to become a USD 5 trillion economy by 2024. The state too has set a target of becoming a USD 1 trillion economy by that time. And, in this scenario, the districts should also have some target to achieve this goal. Here ODOP will play an important role."

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'Agriculture plays an important role': Yogi

The chief minister said in districts like Muzaffarnagar, Siddhartnagar, and Maharajganj, which do not have any industry, agriculture can play an important role in boosting their economy and getting the recognition. "When the mapping for the ODOP was going on, there were no significant industries in Muzaffarnagar. At that time, it was suggested that districts, which do not have an industry to be included in the ODOP list, can go for agriculture product, and the gurh (jaggery) of Muzaffarnagar made it to the ODOP list. Today, there are 118 varieties of jaggery being made there, and a festival dedicated to 'gurh' called 'Gurh Mahotsava' is being held," he said. Similarly, the rice variety 'kala namak', for which Siddharthanagar and Maharajganj districts are known, can work in these areas with some technical help, Adityanath said. Referring to the sessions of state ministers at the IIM Lucknow recently, he said its director was told to prepare a roadmap to help the state become a USD 1 trillion economy. "And, when there is a meeting of minds of IIM experts, ministers and IAS officers, achieving a USD 1 trillion economy goal becomes entirely possible," he said.

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On recent tax rate cuts

Speaking on recent tax rate cuts, he said it would benefit UP the most. "India will gain the most from the US-China trade war. UP also enjoys the advantage of having the land bank, connectivity, and manpower," he added. The chief minister said UP has been declared as an open-defecation-free state by the Quality Council of India recently after the completion of the construction of over 2.61 crore toilets.

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Plans for protecting farmers

Adityanath also elaborated upon his government's plans to protect farmers in the state, currently grappling with the over-production of sugarcane and potato. "The focus is now that sugar should be produced as per the demand, and the rest of sugarcane should be used for the production of ethanol. Work on installing one such ethanol unit has already started," he said. For potato, he emphasized on the cultivation of the variety needed for potato chips. "Potato should be used in mid-day meal and should also be given as food item to the people in the flood relief material along with the wheat flour, rice, oil, salt, spices, and kerosene oil," he added.

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