Gujarat’s 3-Year Milestone with CM Bhupendra Patel

Gandhinagar, 12th September 2024: Gujarat CM Shri Bhupendra Patel marks three years in office today, tenure notable for substantial developmental strides and effective governance. Assuming office on September 13, 2021, CM Patel has continued the developmental journey set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, achieving several significant milestones.

Key Policies and Initiatives

Under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel’s administration, 11 new policies have been introduced, including the Gujarat Atmanirbhar Policy, Gujarat Semiconductor Policy, and Gujarat Renewable Energy Policy. These policies underscore the state’s commitment to progressive governance and innovation. Gujarat achieved significant milestones by successfully hosting the G20 meetings and the 10th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, establishing itself as a key player in the semiconductor and renewable energy sectors.

Governance Highlights

A budget of Rs.3.32 lakh crore has been allocated, focusing on holistic development in areas such as 5G technology, environmental sustainability, and global competitiveness. The state demonstrated effective disaster management by handling the ‘Biparjoy’ storm with a zero-casualty record. Additionally, Gujarat gained international recognition by hosting 17 G20 meetings, showcasing its global prominence.

Empowering the Underprivileged

Plans are in place to build 3 lakh temporary housing units for construction workers, and the Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana 2.0 has been successfully implemented, reflecting the administration’s focus on supporting underprivileged communities. Extensive food distribution and housing initiatives, including the construction of over 14 lakh houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, highlight the government’s commitment to social welfare.

Youth and Skill Development

The establishment of Kaushalya – The Skill University aims to integrate education with skills, offering advanced courses and certifications in fields such as drone technology. Gujarat has been ranked as the top state for startups for four consecutive years, reinforcing its role as a hub for youth and innovation.

Agricultural Support

Over Rs.11,000 crore has been transferred to farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana. Significant investments in natural farming and micro-irrigation demonstrate strong support for the agricultural sector. Financial assistance for farmers affected by adverse weather conditions underscores the government’s proactive approach to agriculture.

Women’s Empowerment

The Mukhyamantri Matrushakti Yojana provides nutritional meals to pregnant and lactating women, benefiting over 5 lakh mothers. The gender budget has surpassed Rs.1 lakh crore, funding various women empowerment schemes and initiatives.

Healthcare Advancements

The Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana’s coverage has doubled, and AIIMS Rajkot, inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi, reflects the state’s commitment to healthcare. New facilities, including medical colleges, dialysis centers, and day care chemotherapy centers, have been established to improve healthcare access.

Educational Reforms

The Mission Schools of Excellence has introduced smart classrooms and computer labs, enhancing educational infrastructure. Scholarship programs such as the ‘Namo Lakshmi’ scheme aim to reduce dropout rates and provide financial support to students.

Industrial and Economic Growth

The 10th edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit attracted over 61,000 delegates, fostering global business relationships. Gujarat is poised to become a major hub for semiconductor manufacturing with multiple high-investment projects underway.

Transportation and Infrastructure

Improvements in public transport include the establishment of new bus stations, an expanded bus fleet, and an e-ticketing system. Ongoing urban development projects under the Smart City Mission and AMRUT scheme are enhancing infrastructure and living standards across the state.

Energy Transformation

Gujarat has made significant strides in renewable energy with extensive solar and CNG initiatives. The state is also developing the world’s largest hybrid renewable energy park.

Urban and Rural Development

The first phase of the Ahmedabad Metro has been inaugurated, with plans for further expansion. The Mukhyamantri Swarnim Jayanti Shaheri Yojana aims to enhance urban infrastructure, while the Gujarat Fiber Grid Network Limited project and new Gram Panchayats are improving rural connectivity and governance.

Under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel’s leadership, Gujarat continues to advance towards its vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat@2047’ through transformative initiatives across various sectors.

Tourism and Pilgrimage Development

For the first time, Gujarat hosted the prestigious Filmfare Awards at GIFT City. Dhordo in Kutch was honored as the “Best Tourism Village” by the United Nations World Tourism Organization. India’s first “Samudra Seema Darshan” was launched at Lakki Nala near Koteshwar in Kutch. Bhuj’s Smritivan Earthquake Memorial Museum received UNESCO’s Prix Versailles Award for architecture and design, being named one of the world’s seven most beautiful museums. Garba, a traditional dance from Gujarat, has been recognized by UNESCO as an “Intangible Cultural Heritage.”

Bet Dwarka, known as Lord Shri Krishna’s city, is set for a world-class transformation with a three-phase development project. The first phase involves a Rs.150 crore investment to enhance the area from the main temple to the beach, including the development of North Padam Beach into a top tourist spot. The newly reconstructed Mahakali Temple in Pavagadh celebrated a historic moment as a flag was hoisted on its Shikhar for the first time in 500 years. Significant development of smaller pilgrimage centers surrounding major ones has been carried out with an investment of Rs.857.14 crore. The Bahucharaji Mataji Temple’s Shikhar will be raised to 86 feet 1 inch as part of a Rs.76.51 crore reconstruction project. The Saurashtra-Tamil Sangamam event was held in Somnath as part of the ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’ initiative. Additionally, the Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram will be redeveloped with a Rs.1,200 crore investment to include world-class amenities.

Water-Rich Gujarat

The Astol project, an engineering marvel, was inaugurated to supply water to 174 remote tribal villages and 1,028 hamlets in Valsad, benefiting 4.50 lakh people. In the seventh phase of the Sujalam Sufalam Jal Abhiyaan, the water storage capacity was increased by 11,523 million cubic feet. Under the concept of Catch the Rain, the state launched the "Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari Abhiyan."

The Nal Se Jal Yojana of the Jal Jeevan Mission has provided 14 lakh tap connections over the past three years to rural areas across Gujarat. Bulk pipeline projects worth Rs.1,300 crore have been completed to address future drinking water needs in Saurashtra and Kutch, boosting the state’s water supply grid capacity by 760 MLD. Projects valued at over Rs.400 crore have been initiated to improve irrigation facilities in 39 villages in the Nalkantha area.

The foundation stone for Link-4 of the SAUNI scheme was laid in Vinchiya, Rajkot district, with an investment of Rs.181 crore, aimed at supplying drinking and irrigation water to around 45,000 people across 23 villages and 5,676 acres of land. A Rs.417 crore scheme has been approved to deliver Narmada water to 45 villages across three talukas in Surendranagar, addressing the current shortage of irrigation facilities. Chhab Lake, a historic landmark in Dahod, was rejuvenated with an investment of Rs.117 crore.

World-Class Infrastructure

The Atal Foot Over Bridge has been built over the Sabarmati River. Rajkot is now home to the Hirasar Greenfield Airport. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Sudarshan Bridge, connecting Okha and Bet Dwarka, with a Rs.978.93 crore investment. The runway at Air Force Station Deesa, an important asset for national defense, was inaugurated with a Rs.394 crore investment.

The Surat Diamond Bourse has been inaugurated, making Gujarat the location of the world’s largest corporate office hub. Gujarat’s third international airport in Surat is now operational. Plans are underway to build a new airport in Dwarka and expand the Keshod Airport. Development has been approved for 30 skyscrapers across Ahmedabad, Surat, Gandhinagar, and Vadodara, significantly increasing local revenues, including approximately Rs.1,000 crore from premium FSI.

Gujarat: Peaceful & Secure State

Gujarat Police seized Rs.5,640 crore worth of drugs in one year, with 317 cases filed against 431 accused. To support middle-class victims of cybercrime, the Gujarat Police worked relentlessly to unfreeze over 2.58 lakh bank accounts within 20 days, and a total of 2.70 lakh accounts have been restored. Gujarat has set a national precedent for swift justice by processing POCSO cases from filing to execution in just 21 days.

The state will appoint 650 new IT experts across district police stations, and 200 PSO-level outposts will be upgraded to PSI level. Gujarat has passed the Abolition Bill to tackle human sacrifice and other inhumane practices, such as black magic. A new law has been enacted to combat malpractices in public recruitment and board examinations, with stricter penalties for misconduct. The Gujarat Special Courts Act, 2024, was enacted to confiscate assets acquired through corrupt and criminal activities.

Others

The Gujarat State Institution for Transformation (GRIT) has been established, modeled after the Centre's Niti Aayog, to support the state’s strategic growth. Gujarat achieved the second-highest ranking nationwide in the 'Ek Ped Maan Ke Naam' campaign, with over 9 crore trees planted to date.

The Bhakta Kavi Narsingh Mehta International Research Center will be created to protect manuscripts and works of Gujarat’s medieval poets, preserving this invaluable heritage. Garvi Gurjari has set a new record with over Rs.25 crore in sales of handicrafts and handloom products, marking a significant milestone in the state’s 50-year history. Under 'Operation Ganga,' 1,386 Gujarati students were repatriated from the conflict in Ukraine, and 14 students were safely returned from Bangladesh amid violence. 'Operation Kaveri' successfully repatriated 569 non-resident Gujaratis from Sudan, while 'Operation Ajay' brought 30 non-resident Gujaratis back from Israel.

Gujarat’s Prestigious Awards

According to the Employment Exchange Statistics-2023, Gujarat leads the nation in employing job-seeking youth. The State Government has earned 7 prestigious awards for excellence in transparent procurement through the GeM portal. Gujarat tops the Export Performance pillar in the Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2022, leading among four key pillars. Banks and financial institutions have demonstrated exceptional confidence in Gujarat's development projects, financing 82 projects in the state. At the 75th Republic Day Parade, Gujarat’s tableau won the People's Choice Award for the second consecutive year. The Gujarat Government’s 'Garvi-Gurjari' has been officially recognized as a Government of India trademark.

Gujarat was awarded the “Best State in AH Infrastructure” title at the India Animal Health Summit-2022. Vidya Samiksha Kendra received the "Prime Minister's Awards for Excellence in Public Administration." Gujarat also received the 'Ayushman Excellence Award 2022' from the Government of India for issuing the highest number of Ayushman cards under the PMJAY-MA scheme.

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