india

Updated: Jun 12, 2014 22:07 IST

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a day after the latter expressed outrage in Parliament over the globally condemned gangrape and murder of two cousins in Badaun last month.

The meeting assumes significance as it comes after Modi's indirect jibe at the SP leaders for their explanations over the surge in sex crimes in the state. Modi had asked all political leaders to refrain from psychological analysis of rape.

A government release, however, described the meeting as a courtesy call.

The meeting with the prime minister followed an investors conclave the Uttar Pradesh chief minister addressed in the national capital, where investment proposals worth almost Rs 60, 000 crore were firmed up.

Battling severe allegations of the declining law and order situation in the state after the Badaun incident, Yadav is apparently attempting an image-makeover by getting down to business.

Speaking to reporters at the conclave, the chief minister described the law and order situation in the state as being better than in many parts of the country.

"The big participation by investors at the meet shows the law and order situation is fine in the state," he said.

The CM held meetings with representatives of companies and ended up signing 23 MoUs for implementing projects, including the setting up of five specialty hospitals, solar power plants, food processing units and expansion of 4G telephony among other initiatives.

"I am happy to announce that we have signed MoUs to the tune of R 35,000 crore in various sectors," Yadav said after the meeting.

Two hours later, UP government officials came out with updated list of investment proposals that totaled Rs54,606 crore. Yadav chose to round it off to Rs 60,000 crore, saying that such a big investment was a good start and that the process would get bigger.

Diplomats of six countries---Canada, the Netherlands, Turkey, Poland, Italy, Taipei---also attended the conclave and held discussions with the chief minister.

About 150 global and Indian investors participated in the first-of-its-kind event organised by Uttar Pradesh government.