When Shivpal Singh Yadav, MLA from Rathapgarh of the Samajwadi Party rose in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly on , he blasted the state government's Vision 2047 document as "pure fantasy".
His target? The BJP‑led administration headed by Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister of Bharatiya Janata Party. In a heated exchange that rippled through the monsoon session, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak shot back with a sharp rebuttal.
Background: Vision 2047 and past promises
The Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly monsoon session 2024 Lucknow marked the first formal presentation of the state’s long‑term development blueprint.
Announced in early 2023, Vision 2047 pledged a 70 % increase in per‑capita income, 10 million new jobs, and a "digital health network" that would place smart hospitals in every district. The document echoed the BJP’s 2022 election manifesto, which promised to double farmer incomes by 2025 and cut crime rates to the national average.
But critics argue the roadmap is riddled with assumptions. According to the State Economic Survey 2023‑24, Uttar Pradesh’s unemployment rate sat at 7.1 % in March 2024—still higher than the national average of 5.8 %. Crime statistics released by the National Crime Records Bureau placed the state third in recorded violent offenses, a ranking that Yogi’s government has struggled to improve.
Shivpal Yadav’s blistering critique
"Are you selling a 22‑year‑old lollipop to a hungry crowd?" Yadav shouted, gesturing toward the glossy booklet on the speaker’s desk. "Today we can’t feed a child, let alone promise a shining future for their grandchildren in 2047."
He pointed out that many of the promised milestones—digital hospitals, smart classrooms, and doubled farmer incomes—remain fantasies when basic infrastructure is still missing. "Half our schools lack electricity, many villages have no functional health centres, and a doctor is a rare luxury," he said, quoting a recent WHO assessment that 38 % of rural health facilities in UP are under‑staffed.
Yadav also questioned the timing of the vision. "You’re talking about a world where today’s unemployed become tomorrow’s senior citizens. By then many of them won’t be alive to enjoy these jobs," he added, his tone mixing irony with genuine concern.
He claimed the BJP’s 2022 promise to double farmer incomes by 2025 had already shown cracks. “In 2025, wheat prices fell 15 % and cotton prices dipped 12 %,” Yadav noted, citing the Agricultural Prices Index. “Farmers are still struggling to repay loans, not preparing for a golden age in 2047.”
Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak’s retort
When the floor opened for a response, Brajesh Pathak rose, his expression tight. "Vision 2047 is not a fantasy; it is a roadmap," he declared.
\nHe reminded the house that the state had already laid the groundwork for several flagship projects. "Over the past two years we built 1,200 km of rural roads, installed solar‑powered streetlights in 3,500 villages, and launched the ‘Kisan Credit Card 2.0’ scheme that has already disbursed ₹12 billion to smallholder farmers," Pathak said, flashing a chart from the department’s press release.
Addressing the health‑care critique, he pointed to the launch of three tele‑medicine hubs in Bareilly, Varanasi, and Kanpur, serving an estimated 8 million patients. "Digital hospitals will complement, not replace, brick‑and‑mortar facilities," he argued.
On crime, Pathak cited a recent police report showing a 4 % drop in reported thefts and a 3 % decline in violent incidents since the BJP took office in 2017. "We may be third nationally, but the trend is moving downward," he added.
Samajwadi Party’s next move
The Samajwadi Party, though not formally boycotting the session, announced it would raise 47 specific questions about the government’s performance. A party spokesperson told reporters that the “Reason” document—named to counter Vision 2047—would be tabled within the next 24 hours.
Party leader Akhilesh Yadav (not present in the assembly that day) later tweeted, "Promises broken in 2022 must be accounted for before dreaming of 2047. The people deserve answers, not anecdotes."
Analysts predict the showdown could shape Uttar Pradesh’s political narrative ahead of the 2025 local elections. "If the BJP can demonstrate tangible progress on the ground, Vision 2047 may become a rallying point. Otherwise, it could fuel a wave of anti‑incumbency," said Dr. Meera Singh, a political scientist at Lucknow University.
Implications for Uttar Pradesh’s development agenda
Beyond the rhetoric, the debate spotlights three core challenges:
- Infrastructure gap: Over 40 % of villages still lack reliable electricity, hindering digital education plans.
- Agricultural distress: Farm‑gate prices remain volatile, making the promised income boost uncertain.
- Health system strain: Rural health centres report a 27 % shortage of qualified staff, contradicting the smart‑hospital narrative.
Addressing these could turn Vision 2047 from a glossy brochure into a plausible future. The upcoming budget session in October will be crucial; earmarked funds for rural electrification and farmer credit schemes will be watched closely.
Key Facts
- Vision 2047 was unveiled in early 2023 as Uttar Pradesh’s long‑term development plan.
- Shivpal Singh Yadav criticised the plan on 7 August 2024 during the monsoon session in Lucknow.
- Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak defended the roadmap, citing road‑building and tele‑medicine initiatives.
- Uttar Pradesh ranks third in India for recorded violent crimes (NCRB 2023).
- Unemployment stood at 7.1 % in March 2024, above the national average.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Vision 2047?
Vision 2047 is Uttar Pradesh’s 22‑year development blueprint announced in 2023. It promises higher per‑capita income, millions of new jobs, digital health infrastructure, and a doubling of farmer incomes by the year 2047.
Why did Shivpal Yadav call the document ‘fantasy’?
Yadav argued that the state is still grappling with basic needs—like electricity in schools and adequate health staff—making long‑term promises feel disconnected from present realities.
How did Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak respond?
Pathak defended Vision 2047 as a roadmap, highlighting recent achievements such as 1,200 km of rural roads, solar streetlights in thousands of villages, and the rollout of tele‑medicine hubs serving millions.
What are the key challenges to achieving Vision 2047?
Experts point to three hurdles: a massive infrastructure gap in electricity and roads, volatile agricultural prices that threaten the promised income boost, and chronic shortages of qualified health‑care workers in rural areas.
What could happen in the upcoming budget session?
If the state earmarks substantial funds for rural electrification, farmer credit schemes, and health‑care staffing, Vision 2047 may gain credibility. Failure to do so could fuel anti‑incumbency sentiment ahead of the 2025 local elections.
