The Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj turned out to be more than just a grand spiritual gathering—it became a life-changing opportunity for many, including a boatman’s family whose story has caught everyone’s attention. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath recently stepped up to dismiss claims made by the Samajwadi Party, which had suggested that boatmen were being taken advantage of during this massive event. Instead, he brought forward an inspiring tale of success that shows how the Mahakumbh brought prosperity to hardworking locals. Specifically, he highlighted how one boatman’s family made an incredible Rs 30 crore in just 45 days, proving that this historic festival was a golden chance for many in the region. This period of earnings stretched from January 13 to February 26, when millions flocked to Prayagraj for the Mahakumbh, creating a bustling atmosphere of faith and opportunity.

While speaking to the UP State Legislative Assembly, CM Yogi shared the details of this remarkable achievement. He proudly stated, “A boatman’s family, who owned 130 boats, earned a total of Rs 30 crore in just 45 days during the Mahakumbh. This means each boat earned Rs 23 lakh over the 45 days, which translates to about Rs 50,000-52,000 per day,” said CM Yogi. To put it simply, this family turned their fleet of 130 boats into a thriving business during those 45 days, ferrying countless pilgrims across the sacred waters of the Ganga. Each boat raked in Rs 23 lakh over the entire event, which breaks down to an impressive daily income of Rs 50,000 to Rs 52,000 per boat. It’s a clear sign of how the huge crowds at the Mahakumbh created a ripple effect of economic growth for those who served them.

CM Yogi didn’t just talk numbers—he also shared his personal involvement in the event to show how much it meant to him and the state. He explained that on February 27, he traveled to Prayagraj, right after the main festivities wrapped up, to join in the religious rituals himself. There, he offered prayers and took a moment to thank everyone who worked hard to make the Mahakumbh a success. Beyond the spiritual side, he rolled up his sleeves and joined efforts to clean the River Ganga, showing his commitment to keeping the sacred site pristine. It was a hands-on way to honor the event’s importance and the people who made it happen.

The Chief Minister also made it a point to shine a light on the unsung heroes of the Mahakumbh—the workers who kept everything running smoothly. He emphasized that their efforts were invaluable and didn’t go unnoticed. In his words, “We felicitated the health and cleanliness workers who played a pivotal role in maintaining the event’s smooth conduct. Additionally, I interacted with the boatmen, police personnel, and security staff, all of whom worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the Mahakumbh,” he said. During his visit, he took time to meet these workers face-to-face—boatmen who rowed day and night, police who kept the crowds safe, and health staff who looked after the pilgrims. He praised them, handed out appreciation, and made sure they knew their hard work was a big reason the event went off without a hitch.

CM Yogi went on to say that he didn’t just stop at the rituals—he actively participated in the religious activities, gave credit to the workers, and spent time talking with the boatmen, security teams, and health crews who were the backbone of the Mahakumbh’s success. It was a heartfelt gesture from a leader who wanted to connect with the people on the ground, showing that their contributions mattered just as much as the event itself. Their tireless efforts ensured that millions of devotees could experience the Mahakumbh safely and comfortably, and CM Yogi made sure they got the recognition they deserved.

On top of all this, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also took the opportunity to present the state’s budget for 2025-26. This budget reflects his government’s focus on uplifting farmers, young people, women, and the poor—groups he’s committed to supporting. It’s the ninth budget his administration has put forward, and it shows a steady promise to improve lives across the state. The Mahakumbh’s success ties into this bigger picture, proving that big events like this can bring not just spiritual fulfillment but also real economic benefits to the people of Uttar Pradesh.

In his address to the UP State Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath didn’t hold back when he spoke about how his government has been working tirelessly for the people of Uttar Pradesh since 2017. He stressed that his administration has always kept its eyes on inclusive development, making sure everyone gets a fair share of progress, especially those who’ve been left behind for too long. At the same time, he didn’t miss the chance to call out the opposition, accusing them of playing tricks with vote bank politics just to fool the public and cling to power. His words carried a tone of determination, showing how serious he is about bringing real change to the state.

CM Yogi made it crystal clear where his priorities lie, saying, “This government has always prioritised the welfare of the people, especially those who have been deprived. For us, the vote bank is not just a tool; it is a legacy,” he declared, taking a sharp dig at the opposition. He painted a picture of a government that sees its voters not as mere numbers to manipulate, but as a responsibility handed down to serve with care. It was a bold jab at those he believes only care about votes during election time, contrasting it with his team’s commitment to long-term welfare.

When he turned to the 2025-26 budget, CM Yogi explained how it builds on this promise of looking out for the most vulnerable. He walked everyone through the journey of his government’s budgets since they took charge, showing how each one had a clear purpose. “In 2017-18, our first budget focused on farmers, and today, the farmers are content, with suicides coming to a halt. We dedicated the 2018-19 budget to infrastructure, the 2019-20 budget to empowering women, and the 2020-21 budget to the youth. The 2021-22 budget focused on self-reliance, the 2023-24 budget aimed for overall development, and the 2024-25 budget embraced the concept of Lokmangal and Ramrajya,” he explained. Listening to him, you could feel the pride in his voice as he laid out this roadmap—each year targeting a key group or goal, from farmers to women to the youth, all while weaving in big ideas like self-reliance and a vision of a just society inspired by Ramrajya.

For the 2025-26 budget, he brought the focus right back to the basics—farmers, youth, women, and the poor. It’s all about lifting up those who need it most, he said, sticking to the same thread of helping the deprived that’s run through his leadership. This wasn’t just talk either—he backed it up with numbers that showed how far the state has come. He pointed out that back in 2016-17, Uttar Pradesh was pulling in Rs 2.56 lakh crore in total revenue receipts. Fast forward to January of the current financial year, and that figure has shot up past Rs 4.10 lakh crore. That’s a massive jump, and it’s easy to see why he’s proud of it—it’s proof the state’s finances are growing stronger under his watch.

Then there’s the matter of capital expenditure, which he highlighted as a major piece of the 2025-26 budget puzzle. This year, they’ve set aside Rs 2.25 lakh crore for it, which works out to about 20.5% of the total budget. That’s a hefty chunk of money aimed at sparking industrial growth, smoothing out the supply chain, and pulling in private investors. The idea is simple but powerful—spend big on building things now, and it’ll create jobs and opportunities for people across Uttar Pradesh later. It’s a practical move that shows he’s thinking about the future, not just the present.

CM Yogi also took a moment to talk about how much better life has gotten for the average person in the state. He shared that the per capita income—the amount each person earns on average—has climbed from Rs 52,671 in 2016-17 to Rs 93,514 in 2023-24. That’s a huge leap in just a few years, and he sees it as solid evidence that his government’s efforts are paying off. “Our focus remains on sustainable growth, ensuring prosperity reaches every corner of Uttar Pradesh,” he stated, underlining his goal of spreading that progress far and wide, not just keeping it in a few pockets.

On top of all this, Uttar Pradesh has earned some serious bragging rights from NITI Aayog, a big government think tank. According to their latest report, the state is now a “front-runner” in fiscal health—meaning it’s doing really well at managing its money. CM Yogi was quick to highlight this, tying it to the state’s booming Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) and smarter handling of finances, like boosting capital spending and collecting more taxes. He repeated this point with confidence, saying that Uttar Pradesh has secured its spot as a “front-runner” in fiscal health, per NITI Aayog’s findings. For more on this ranking, you can dig into the NITI Aayog’s Fiscal Health Index 2025 report, released in January 2025, which tracks how states are doing financially.

To drive it home, he shared a key stat: “The state’s consolidated ‘Fiscal Health Index’ has improved by 8.9 points between the years 2018-19 and 2022-23, reflecting strong fiscal management and growth under the current government,” he said.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath spoke about how Uttar Pradesh has improved its spending, according to a NITI Aayog report. He said the report shows a big step forward in the quality of expenditure. Capital expenditure, which is money spent on things like roads and buildings, ranged from 14.8 per cent to 19.3 per cent of total spending between 2018 and 2023. During those years, the state’s capital expenditure ratio stayed higher than the average for major states across India. He also shared findings from a Reserve Bank of India (RBI) study about the 2024-25 budgets of states. That study pointed out Uttar Pradesh’s solid financial position. The state’s share of total own tax receipts among all states has been strong, hitting 9.9 per cent in 2022-2023, 10.5 per cent in 2023-2024, and 11.6 per cent in 2024-2025. That puts Uttar Pradesh just behind Maharashtra.

CM Yogi Adityanath made it clear that these gains didn’t come from new taxes. “We have not increased any new tax,” he said, showing how the state has managed its finances well without putting extra weight on people’s shoulders. This efficient handling has driven progress. The state’s spending on interest, compared to revenue receipts, has gone down too—from 12.6 per cent in 2022-23 to 8.9 per cent in 2024-25. This drop shows better control over money matters. Plus, Uttar Pradesh’s own tax receipts as a percentage of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) have stayed above the national average, moving from 7.6 per cent in 2022-23 to 10 per cent in 2024-25.

CM Yogi also looked back at the state’s economic journey. “Despite being the largest state in the country with the most resources, Uttar Pradesh’s GSDP reached only Rs 12.75 lakh crore from 1950 to 2017,” he said. Things changed after 2017. “However, after the public expressed faith in the policies of Prime Minister Modi in 2017, in just eight years, the state’s GSDP is set to more than double, reaching Rs 27.51 lakh crore in 2024-25,” he added. He gave credit to his government’s strong policies and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for making Uttar Pradesh one of India’s top economic powerhouses. The NITI Aayog report (niti.gov.in, 2025) supports these facts with its latest findings.

This growth—from Rs 12.75 lakh crore to Rs 27.51 lakh crore in eight years—shows how fast things have moved. It’s a big deal for a state with so much potential, and CM Yogi wanted everyone to see how his team’s work paid off.