Development through good governance
Uttar Pradesh's transformation under Yogi Adityanath exemplifies the power of good governance rooted in ancient wisdom. Transparency, technology, and accountability have revitalised the state's economy and public trust.
Chanakya’s dictum states: “Sukhasya moolam dharmah, dharmasya moolam arthah, arthasya moolam rajyam”- the root of happiness is righteousness, the root of righteousness is prosperity, and the root of prosperity is the state. Chanakya regarded the state as the foundation of economic well-being because he understood that only strong governance can sustain social order, foster prosperity, and bring stability to public life.
The journey of Uttar Pradesh over the past several years stands as one of the most vivid modern illustrations of this ancient principle. Good governance, embodied in the vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” has become increasingly visible in Uttar Pradesh today. It reflects the ideal of Ram Rajya, where the ruler’s foremost duty was to ensure justice and create a society free from fear.
The Yogi government has embraced this principle, and its impact is clearly evident in the state's governance framework. Conceptually, good governance in Uttar Pradesh represents a seamless and inclusive system that draws strength from its cultural roots while meeting global standards. In such a framework, governance is not merely an instrument of control but a means of public welfare.
A civilisation does not perish merely because it is attacked from outside; it declines when its internal systems begin to decay. Whenever discipline in governance weakens, whenever influence replaces justice, and whenever state power serves private interests rather than public welfare, the foundations of society are shaken, trust erodes, and the momentum of development stalls. A review of governments that ruled nearly a decade ago reveals precisely these factors at the root of social disorder.
This is why Uttar Pradesh was often labeled a 'BIMARU' state on the national map. Public trust in government departments had diminished. Investors were reluctant even to consider Uttar Pradesh. Funds meant for welfare schemes disappeared through intermediaries, often without accountability.
When Yogi Adityanath assumed office in 2017, the state's foremost need was a combination of deep administrative understanding and unwavering political will. It was this formula that ultimately brought about transformative change.
As the spirit of governance and the priorities of the administrative system changed, the first targets were those who had operated above the law under political patronage. It hardly needs to be stated that when fear of the law disappears, the resulting vacuum is filled by crime and disorder. The most vulnerable sections of society become the primary victims of such lawlessness.
The Yogi government’s decisive campaign against organised crime and criminal networks broke the backbone of the mafia ecosystem and reversed the balance of fear. Those who once intimidated others became fearful themselves.
The broader social impact was the growing confidence that the law could reach even the most powerful offenders. This renewed trust invigorated ordinary citizens and created an environment conducive to investment, removing the hesitation that many entrepreneurs previously felt about coming to Uttar Pradesh.
However, it is equally true that while punishment and deterrence can create a sense of security, fundamental transformation occurs only when the culture of bureaucracy aligns with the goals of governance. Changing administrative culture is among the most difficult tasks because habits entrenched over decades are not easily altered. This required regular reviews, personal accountability of officers, and transparent evaluation of departmental performance.
As these measures were introduced, the foundation of a new work culture was laid. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath personally began evaluating departmental performance, creating a natural sense of alertness and responsibility within the administrative machinery. This not only increased accountability among officers but also among employees at every level.
Technology has also been a crucial component of this transformation. In the modern era, technology serves as a mirror that reveals the true state of governance with remarkable clarity. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) demonstrated in practice a historic truth: government benefits need not be diluted through layers of intermediaries before reaching beneficiaries; they can be delivered directly and in full.
The digitisation of land records addressed a long-standing source of hardship that had forced generations of people into lengthy legal disputes and costly court proceedings. When land records become transparent and easily accessible, the number of disputes, particularly in rural areas, naturally declines.
It is governance that ultimately paves the way for investment. Along with tax incentives and easy access to land, investors closely examine the law-and-order situation. They also assess whether their projects will remain stuck in bureaucratic processes awaiting approvals. The Single Window System has not only simplified these procedures but has also made them more impartial by reducing the scope for excessive human intervention.
Time-bound monitoring of investment projects has ensured that even after approvals are granted, projects do not become entangled in red tape. Uttar Pradesh’s emergence as one of the country’s fastest-growing economies is a direct outcome of these systemic reforms.
Democracy realises its true meaning when the benefits of government schemes reach people without discrimination, favouritism, or recommendations, and solely on the basis of eligibility. It is then that the primacy of the people is truly established.
Timely and fair prices for agricultural produce, expanded irrigation facilities, greater transparency in agricultural markets, and improvements in procurement processes have strengthened a segment of society that forms the backbone of the nation’s food security, yet has historically faced neglect and exploitation. The renewed confidence among farmers today is rooted in these efforts of the state government.
The development journey of Uttar Pradesh demonstrates that systemic reform is the starting point of genuine transformation. When the rule of law, transparency, accountability, and technology work together, development gains momentum. The central message of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s tenure has been that sustainable development can only be achieved through an efficient and accountable governance system. With the results now visible, other states too can draw inspiration from this model.
(The author is former DGP of Uttar Pradesh)
Chanakya’s dictum states: “Sukhasya moolam dharmah, dharmasya moolam arthah, arthasya moolam rajyam”- the root of happiness is righteousness, the root of righteousness is prosperity, and the root of prosperity is the state. Chanakya regarded the state as the foundation of economic well-being because he understood that only strong governance can sustain social order, foster prosperity, and bring stability to public life.
The journey of Uttar Pradesh over the past several years stands as one of the most vivid modern illustrations of this ancient principle. Good governance, embodied in the vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” has become increasingly visible in Uttar Pradesh today. It reflects the ideal of Ram Rajya, where the ruler’s foremost duty was to ensure justice and create a society free from fear.
The Yogi government has embraced this principle, and its impact is clearly evident in the state's governance framework. Conceptually, good governance in Uttar Pradesh represents a seamless and inclusive system that draws strength from its cultural roots while meeting global standards. In such a framework, governance is not merely an instrument of control but a means of public welfare.
A civilisation does not perish merely because it is attacked from outside; it declines when its internal systems begin to decay. Whenever discipline in governance weakens, whenever influence replaces justice, and whenever state power serves private interests rather than public welfare, the foundations of society are shaken, trust erodes, and the momentum of development stalls. A review of governments that ruled nearly a decade ago reveals precisely these factors at the root of social disorder.
This is why Uttar Pradesh was often labeled a 'BIMARU' state on the national map. Public trust in government departments had diminished. Investors were reluctant even to consider Uttar Pradesh. Funds meant for welfare schemes disappeared through intermediaries, often without accountability.
When Yogi Adityanath assumed office in 2017, the state's foremost need was a combination of deep administrative understanding and unwavering political will. It was this formula that ultimately brought about transformative change.
As the spirit of governance and the priorities of the administrative system changed, the first targets were those who had operated above the law under political patronage. It hardly needs to be stated that when fear of the law disappears, the resulting vacuum is filled by crime and disorder. The most vulnerable sections of society become the primary victims of such lawlessness.
The Yogi government’s decisive campaign against organised crime and criminal networks broke the backbone of the mafia ecosystem and reversed the balance of fear. Those who once intimidated others became fearful themselves.
The broader social impact was the growing confidence that the law could reach even the most powerful offenders. This renewed trust invigorated ordinary citizens and created an environment conducive to investment, removing the hesitation that many entrepreneurs previously felt about coming to Uttar Pradesh.
However, it is equally true that while punishment and deterrence can create a sense of security, fundamental transformation occurs only when the culture of bureaucracy aligns with the goals of governance. Changing administrative culture is among the most difficult tasks because habits entrenched over decades are not easily altered. This required regular reviews, personal accountability of officers, and transparent evaluation of departmental performance.
As these measures were introduced, the foundation of a new work culture was laid. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath personally began evaluating departmental performance, creating a natural sense of alertness and responsibility within the administrative machinery. This not only increased accountability among officers but also among employees at every level.
Technology has also been a crucial component of this transformation. In the modern era, technology serves as a mirror that reveals the true state of governance with remarkable clarity. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) demonstrated in practice a historic truth: government benefits need not be diluted through layers of intermediaries before reaching beneficiaries; they can be delivered directly and in full.
The digitisation of land records addressed a long-standing source of hardship that had forced generations of people into lengthy legal disputes and costly court proceedings. When land records become transparent and easily accessible, the number of disputes, particularly in rural areas, naturally declines.
It is governance that ultimately paves the way for investment. Along with tax incentives and easy access to land, investors closely examine the law-and-order situation. They also assess whether their projects will remain stuck in bureaucratic processes awaiting approvals. The Single Window System has not only simplified these procedures but has also made them more impartial by reducing the scope for excessive human intervention.
Time-bound monitoring of investment projects has ensured that even after approvals are granted, projects do not become entangled in red tape. Uttar Pradesh’s emergence as one of the country’s fastest-growing economies is a direct outcome of these systemic reforms.
Democracy realises its true meaning when the benefits of government schemes reach people without discrimination, favouritism, or recommendations, and solely on the basis of eligibility. It is then that the primacy of the people is truly established.
Timely and fair prices for agricultural produce, expanded irrigation facilities, greater transparency in agricultural markets, and improvements in procurement processes have strengthened a segment of society that forms the backbone of the nation’s food security, yet has historically faced neglect and exploitation. The renewed confidence among farmers today is rooted in these efforts of the state government.
The development journey of Uttar Pradesh demonstrates that systemic reform is the starting point of genuine transformation. When the rule of law, transparency, accountability, and technology work together, development gains momentum. The central message of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s tenure has been that sustainable development can only be achieved through an efficient and accountable governance system. With the results now visible, other states too can draw inspiration from this model.
(The author is former DGP of Uttar Pradesh)
