Uttar Pradesh – a defining moment

Uttar Pradesh must succeed and prosper. India's future depends on it.

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Uttar Pradesh – a defining moment

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Huge state, huge issues : Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state of India with a population of over 220 million. The density of population is 828 persons per sq km. UP’s nominal GSDP (Gross State Domestic Product) is Rs. 12.37 lakh crore, which is the fourth largest economy in the country after Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. UP’s success will lift entire India’s statistics.

Foodgrain supplier : Uttar Pradesh is a major contributor to the national food grain stock. In 2013-14, the state’s contribution to food grains was 18.90% of the total production. Uttar Pradesh is also the largest producer of sugarcane in the country . The sugarcane farmers’ distress (over unrealised product revenue) is longstanding.

Chronic and multiple problems : Uttar Pradesh faces many chronic problems, that the newly formed BJP government is expected to solve – law and order, transport infrastructure, slow economic growth, huge population, poor social indicators, etc. The government needs to quickly and efficiently tackle some of the more important problems.
Social indicators : With largest population, UP also has the second-highest maternal mortality rate (258 deaths per lakh of live births), and highest infant mortality rate (64 deaths per 1000 live births). Almost half (46.3%) the child population is stunted (low height-for-age), and 17.9% are wasted (low weight-for-height). As per the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 2015-16, 39.5% of children are under weight. UP spends Rs. 452 per capita on health, 70% less than the average spending by states.

Deep Dive : Read our Bodhi on Agriculture in India here. Read about government schemes, here. Download PDFs on many related issues here.

Education : Another challenge for the government is the low learning levels and high absenteeism. UP has achieved high enrollment in primary schools, with 83.1% (2015-16). Challenge for the government is low learning outcomes, high absenteeism and low enrollment in middle and higher middle school enrollments (60.5% in 2015). A survey of 2016 indicates that 49.7% grade I kids could not read letters and 44.3% could not recognize numbers up to nine. Copying in higher education exams is also a big challenge.
No jobs? The low quality of education and the shortage of jobs in the state is reflected in high unemployment level with 148 youths between 18 and 29 years per 1000 were unemployed against the national average of 102. Unavailability of jobs in the state has resulted in high migration. Between 2001 and 2011, over 5.8 million people in the age group of 20 and 29 years migrated in search of jobs.
Industrial scenario unoptimistic : Although UP has a large number of industries, most of them are performing below par and as a result the state’s industrial growth is amongst the lowest in India.
Fertile but unproductive : Although UP lies in the most fertile northern plains, agricultural growth of the state is also slow. Three out of four rural households depend on agriculture, which makes agricultural reforms high on the government agenda. Agricultural growth during 2004-05 and 2012-13 recorded the slowest compounded annual growth rate of 2.9 %, below the national growth rate of 3.7 %. Outstanding farmer loans stood at about Rs. 75,000 cr.
Electric shock : Unavailability of electricity is another challenge. More than half of the state’s households are unelectrfied. Power cuts are a regular feature. 51.8% of rural homes are without electricity, despite the state having the third largest installed coal capacity in the country (UP has not yet joined the UJWALA Discom scheme of the central government). The BJP has promised 24X7 power supply in the state. This is a big challenge.

Do check out exams-focussed Confidence Booster series of learning resources, here!

Some images for data and facts are presented below, for your reference. Studying them will give you a deep understanding of the root causes of farmers' distress, and why waivers cannot solve the same.