A high-level team to prepare model development plan for UP

The PMO has asked the planning body to send a high-level team headed by its vice-chairman, Arvind Panagariya to the " gate-way to Delhi" to study the situation in different fields and prepare a plan for its socio- economic development which may be a guide for others. The team will reach here next week.

The reason for the keener interest in the state may be astounding victory achieved by the Bhartiya Janata Party in recent assembly elections and the role it can play in formation of the next government at the Centre.

The state has slipped on many parameters of development on the all-India basis and has large gaps to cover in most of the economic areas. The team members will gather details of all these areas and after closer-look at all of them will send a report to the PMO, suggesting ways and means to bring about dramatic changes.

The high- level team will be here for a day and devote the entire available time in meeting chief minister Yogi Adityanath, other officials and non-officials and collecting relevant papers containing details.

Emphasis is likely to be laid on infrastructure development, improvement in power availability and supply, creation of better educational facilities and making a drastic change in the law and order situation.

The state's economy largely depends on agriculture but its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product or GDP is negligible. Adequate irrigational facilities have to be created to accelerate growth rate in this sector.

Industry is another area of concern. In absence of proper infrastructure, investment in the state in this sector is lower than many states. Poor law and order situation prevented investors further from coming to the state.

The state has signed an agreement with the Centre for 24x7 power supply by 2019 but it has much leeway to cover in areas like road.

The new move may change the scenario in this and other areas.