UP: Modi to launch Rs. 10 lakh crore-worth projects today
What's the story
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday will launch 14,000 projects worth over Rs. 10 lakh crore at the fourth ground-breaking ceremony of the Uttar Pradesh Global Investors Summit 2023.
Earlier in the day, he laid the foundation stone for the Shri Kalki Dham Temple in the Sambhal district.
He performed a puja during the ceremony alongside UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Shri Kalki Dham Nirman Trust Chairman Acharya Pramod Krishnam. The Congress recently expelled the latter for six years.
Context
Why does this story matter?
The announcement of the new projects comes just months before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The state of Uttar Pradesh is important as it sends 80 MPs to the 543-member Lok Sabha.
To recall, in the 2019 general elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 62 seats, while in the 2014 polls, the party won 71 seats.
Notably, PM Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre is vying for a third term this year.
Statement
PM Modi addresses gathering at Sambhal
PM Modi also addressed a gathering at Kalki Dham's inaugural ceremony.
"I would like to say that there are many good deeds that many have left for me to achieve. With the blessing of all saints and citizens, all of them that have been left will be achieved in the future as well," he said.
He further said, "Since today is also the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the event has become more sacred and more inspiring."
Twitter Post
You can watch PM Modi's address here
#WATCH | UP: At the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Hindu shrine Kalki Dham in Sambhal, PM Modi says "...Today is also the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, hence this day becomes more sacred and more inspiring...On this occasion, I respectfully bow at the… pic.twitter.com/uPvYdLY3PJ
— ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2024
Investment boost
14,000 projects to be launched by PM Modi
The projects to be launched by the PM later in the day include about 300 proposals of the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and the export promotion department worth about Rs. 45,000 crore.
Additionally, 750 housing department projects with an investment of about Rs. 57,000 crore are also going for implementation at the groundbreaking ceremony.
The event will also see the implementation of close to 40 Excise Department projects, involving an investment of approximately Rs. 7,500 crore, reports said.
Other projects
Focus on temple towns of Ayodhya, Mathura
PM Modi will also launch projects worth Rs. 10,155.79 crore for Ayodhya and Rs. 13,486.63 crore for Mathura.
In his own Lok Sabha constituency of Varanasi, he will launch projects valued at Rs. 15,313.81 crore.
An electric vehicle manufacturing unit by Chennai-based Ashok Leyland will, meanwhile, be established on the land of Scooters India Limited (SIL) in the state capital,Lucknow.