UP's double-engine government prioritizes farmers’ welfare: CM Yogi Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday reiterated the state government’s commitment to securing the future of farmers under the “double engine” governance model. Speaking at the Kisan Samman Samaroh, the Chief Minister said farmers have become a key agenda since the NDA government took office in 2014.

Highlighting central government schemes, Yogi Adityanath said, “You must have seen for the first time in 2014 that the farmer who provides food can also become a part of the political agenda of a government. When PM Modi started the Soil Health Card Scheme... After the Soil Health Card, the Prime Minister's Agricultural Irrigation Scheme and then the Prime Minister's Agricultural Insurance Scheme were implemented and the Prime Minister's Kisan Samman Nidhi Scheme was implemented.”

He added, “12 crore farmers in the country are getting the benefit of the Prime Minister's Kisan Samman Nidhi Scheme... This double engine government is also working towards making the future of its farmers beautiful and secure in the state.”

The Chief Minister also highlighted the state government's efforts to reduce farmer suicides, saying, “When our government came in 2017, farmers were committing suicide... There were no facilities anywhere. In 2017, when we came, first of all we took forward the loan waiver program of Rs 36,000 crore for 86 lakh farmers and after the loan waiver, we resorted to the Prime Minister's Agricultural Irrigation Scheme to develop the irrigation capacity in the state ...”

In a separate development, CM Yogi conducted a high-level review of the State Tax Department in Lucknow. He directed officials to adopt transparency, enhance technical efficiency, and enforce strict tax collection. He also ordered action against shell companies and fake registrations.

The Chief Minister recently met with members of the 16th Finance Commission in Lucknow. The state’s Finance Minister, Suresh Khanna, said the CM presented several demands, including increasing Uttar Pradesh’s share in central taxes.

Khanna stated, “Some demands were made by the Chief Minister for the state today. Instead of the 41 per cent share we received so far, we should get 50 per cent. At the same time, Uttar Pradesh should not get less than 20 per cent in central taxes. This is our demand.”

He further added, “At the 16th Finance Commission meeting, the Uttar Pradesh government presented the achievements of eight years. Based on the successes, it seemed clear that the Finance Commission was satisfied with our progress, and Uttar Pradesh will get a good recommendation and will take a long leap forward successfully.”