Noida: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday lauded the current investment climate in Uttar Pradesh, claiming that the state had to hold an investment conference in Delhi in 2013 as investors were unwilling to come to Lucknow due to the law and order situation.
"The primary condition for creating an investment climate is that the law and order situation should be good," Shah said at the inauguration of the fourth edition of the Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show (UPITS) here.
Recalling the 2013 investment conference, he said, "At that time, when there was a controversy in the media, the Uttar Pradesh officials without hesitation said that the law and order situation in Lucknow was such that no investor was ready to come there, and therefore we had come to Delhi."
"Today, look at the situation. Uttar Pradesh is becoming a fear-free investment centre and an engine of the country's development," he said, crediting the change to the "double-engine government" of the BJP.
Shah also said that despite global upheavals, India had not only maintained but strengthened its economic growth.
"Amid such an atmosphere of upheaval and unrest across the world, despite numerous hurdles, India has maintained its growth rate. Not only has it maintained it, but it has taken it forward," he said.
He said the 'One District One Product' initiative has helped create employment opportunities within Uttar Pradesh.
"Once upon a time, people from here used to go to states across the country in search of employment. Those same youth of Uttar Pradesh are today getting employment in their own state because of One District One Product," Shah said.
He cited Bhadohi carpets, Moradabad brassware, Firozabad glass, Saharanpur woodcraft, Kannauj perfume and Banarasi silk sarees as products that had gained recognition across the country.
Shah also highlighted the state's defence manufacturing capabilities.
"Today, BrahMos made in Uttar Pradesh gives Pakistan sleepless nights. This is the biggest sign of change," he said.
He added that the AK-203 assault rifle manufactured in Amethi had become a weapon against "Naxalites and terrorists".
The Union home minister said the "transformation from an earlier environment of crime to defence manufacturing, vehicle production and medical-device manufacturing" represented a major change in Uttar Pradesh.
