UP has emerged as a breakthrough state, says governor Anandiben Patel

Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel on Monday said the state has recorded top national rankings across several key central government schemes, crediting systematic planning and effective execution by the Yogi Adityanath-led administration over the last nine years.

Delivering her address to a joint sitting of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council at the start of the Budget Session, the governor outlined achievements spanning welfare delivery, agriculture, industry and governance. Her speech, however, was marked by repeated interruptions as members of the Samajwadi Party (SP) raised slogans inside the House.

Patel said Uttar Pradesh has secured either first or second position at the national level in multiple flagship schemes . She noted that the state leads the country under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, with 10.22 crore bank accounts currently active, reflecting an increase of 5.76 crore accounts since 2017. Uttar Pradesh also ranks first in enrolments under the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana and the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, along with the PM Surya Ghar Yojana.

According to the governor, the state has also topped registrations under the Atal Pension Yojana and secured second position nationally under the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Pension Scheme.

Highlighting progress in housing and basic amenities, Patel said Uttar Pradesh has emerged as the leading state in the construction of homes under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in both rural and urban areas. She added that the state has also performed strongly in the rollout of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, rural household toilet construction and the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme.

In the agriculture and dairy sectors, the governor said Uttar Pradesh became the country’s largest milk-producing state in 2024–25, recording an output of 388.15 lakh metric tonnes. The state also ranks first nationally in the production of sugarcane, sugar, foodgrains, mangoes and potatoes, while emerging as a leading contributor to ethanol production and supply.

On the economic front, Patel said more than 96 lakh micro, small and medium enterprises have been set up across the state, contributing to livelihood generation. She also noted that Uttar Pradesh became the first state in the country to transfer agricultural investment subsidies directly to farmers through the direct benefit transfer mechanism. The state currently has the highest number of active taxpayers at 20.98 lakh and figures among the top performers in tax return filings.

Referring to the Centre’s Aspirational Districts Programme, the governor said eight districts from Uttar Pradesh were selected, with Balrampur and Siddharthnagar securing the top two positions in the national rankings.

Patel also cited cultural milestones, stating that the Deepotsav celebrations in Ayodhya in 2025 created a Guinness World Record with the lighting of more than 26 lakh earthen lamps. She added that events are being organised across the state to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the national song Vande Mataram , witnessing wide public participation.

Concluding her address, the governor said the past nine years have marked a phase of renewed momentum for Uttar Pradesh, reflecting improvements in administrative efficiency and development outreach, even as opposition parties continued to question the government’s claims during the session.