PM Modi launches record 81 projects in Lucknow

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched 81 investment projects worth Rs 60, 000 crore in Lucknow and said that industrialists play key roles in the development of the country.

The mega investment projects, including renewable energy, infrastructure, power, Information Technology, electronics and tourism, are expected to give a big boost to the industrialisation in the state, an official statement said.

These projects have the potentials to create more than two lakh jobs in the state, says UP Industry Minister Satish Mahana.

The investment projects also believe to have huge development goals to meet before next year’s Lok Sabha elections.

The record breaking launching ceremony was attended by 80 leading industrialists, including major firms such as Reliance Jio, Adani, BSNL and Birla alongside Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minster Yogi Adityanath.

Asserting that “industrialists play an important role in developing the country”, Modi said, “Why should we shame them, call them thieves?”

He said, “We are not the one who are scared of standing next to industrialists.”

Read More | All households to get electricity by March 2019: PM Modi 

The Opposition Congress party repeatedly attacked the Prime Minister over his alleged links with industrialists, accusing him of neglecting the farmers and the underprivileged.

Modi said the investment projects will prove to be a big leap in giving a new direction to the Centre’s pet policies ‘Make in India’ and ‘Digital India’. He also said that India was becoming a hub of mobile manufacturing for the world. And Uttar Pradesh is leading the manufacturing revolution.

“Be it setting up of fibre or establishment of IT center for internet service in Uttar Pradesh, digital infrastructure will give a new direction, new pace to the state," said Modi.

At present, over 50 mobile manufacturing companies are based in Uttar Pradesh, making one of the largest mobile manufacturing units in the world.

"Uttar Pradesh has been successful in attaining a position in top five states in the country in terms of ease of doing business," Adityanath had said at the event.

Also Read | Amit Shah, Bhagwat meet in Mumbai amid Maratha quota stir 

While hitting back at his predecessors, Yogi said the BSP government in five years could only manage investment worth Rs 57, 000 crore while the SP could manage just Rs 50, 000 crore but in contrast his government has gone ahead to make investments of Rs 60, 000 crore in a span of one year.

More proposals worth Rs 50, 000 crore are in the pipeline which will be started soon, Yogi said.

(With inputs from agencies)