Lucknow witnessed a momentous budget presentation on Wednesday as Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Khanna unveiled staggering economic progress. In a proud declaration, Khanna revealed that the state’s per capita income has more than doubled compared to the 2016-17 fiscal year, soaring to an estimated Rs 1.09 lakh in 2024-25.
This remarkable growth underscores the BJP government’s transformative agenda. From bolstering law and order to fueling industrial investments, job creation, women’s empowerment, farmer welfare, and poverty alleviation, Uttar Pradesh has achieved all-round development. The minister highlighted that the state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) for 2024-25 (quick estimates) stands at Rs 30.25 lakh crore, reflecting a robust 13.4% increase over the previous year.
Khanna emphasized the government’s success in lifting nearly 6 crore people out of multidimensional poverty. Unemployment has plummeted to a mere 2.24%, a testament to proactive policies. In the SDG India Index, UP climbed from 29th in 2018-19 to 18th in 2023-24, showcasing sustainable development strides.
The February 2024 Global Investors Summit proved a game-changer, securing MoUs worth Rs 50 lakh crore and promising 10 lakh jobs. Uttar Pradesh now dominates as India’s largest mobile phone manufacturing hub, producing 65% of the nation’s output. Electronics exports have hit Rs 44,744 crore, with 55% of India’s electronics component units based here. The state’s startup ecosystem earned top ‘Leader’ ranking nationally.
Infrastructure commitment shines through UP’s top spot among landlocked states in NITI Aayog’s Export Preparedness Index-2024. In agriculture, the state leads in wheat, rice, sugarcane, potato, banana, mango, guava, amla, and mentha production. Irrigated area expanded from 2.16 crore hectares in 2016-17 to 2.76 crore hectares, with crop intensity rising from 162.7% to 193.7%.
Looking ahead, projections indicate per capita income reaching Rs 1.20 lakh by 2025-26. This budget not only celebrates achievements but charts a bold path for Uttar Pradesh’s emergence as an economic powerhouse.