Schemes like CM Yuva Abhiyan and ODOP have increased employment opportunities in UP. In 370 days, one lakh youth got interest free loan of up to Rs 5 lakh. Exports doubled, income and GDP increased rapidly. The government is focusing on stopping migration and increasing self-employment.
Author- Shashikant Jaiswal: About eight-nine years ago, it was like a dream for the youth of North India to get a government job or start self-employment. There was neither proper guidance nor any strong system to make a career after higher education. Previous governments did not take concrete steps in this direction, as a result of which youth and families had to suffer. Migration of youth from one city to another and then to other states in search of employment was common, while only the elderly remained in the villages.
Jobs, employment and migration: changing picture in Uttar Pradesh
Jobs and migration have always been a big issue in North India. The situation of about a decade ago is not hidden from anyone, but in the last few years the situation in Uttar Pradesh has changed rapidly. Due to fair and transparent recruitment and increase in investment in government departments, youth have started getting employment at the local level. This has also reduced migration.
In the last nine years, the Uttar Pradesh government has given government jobs to about nine lakh youth in various departments. There were procedural delays or disputes in some recruitments, but no questions were raised on transparency and fairness.
CM Yuva Abhiyan: Loan up to Rs 5 lakh without guarantee
Many schemes of the Central and State Government are running to promote self-employment, but the Chief Minister Self-Employment Entrepreneur Development Campaign (CM Yuva) has broken records. This scheme was started on 24 January on Uttar Pradesh Day.
Its specialty is that this is the first such scheme in the country, in which youth get a loan of up to Rs 5 lakh without guarantee and without bank interest. Along with this, 10 percent government grant is also given. The youth are getting government assistance from training to project preparation.
Loan to one lakh youth in 370 days, projects worth Rs 4100 crore
Under CM Yuva Abhiyan, loans of up to Rs 5 lakh have been given to one lakh youth in just 370 days from January 24 to October 31. Projects worth more than Rs 4100 crore have been established under this scheme. The MSME department received more than four lakh applications, out of which more than 3.25 lakh were sent to the bank. Banks have approved more than 1.10 lakh applications. Loan distribution includes 37% manufacturing and 63% service sector.
All sections got benefits without discrimination
This scheme is breaking the caste boundaries and giving equal opportunities to the youth of all sections. Beneficiaries include-
- 49% OBC
- 15% SC-ST
- 2.5% minority
- 33% general category youth
That means CM is making the youth not job seekers but job creators.
Target of 10 lakh employment in next 10 years
Under CM Yuva Abhiyan, the target is to provide employment to 10 lakh youth in the next ten years. Rs 1,000 crore has been allocated for this scheme in the budget for the financial year 2024-25, which shows the seriousness of the government. Besides, the MSME department is also running many other self-employment schemes.
ODOP scheme gave new life to traditional industries
Another major scheme of Chief Minister Yogi ‘One District, One Product (ODOP)’ has given new energy to traditional industries. Due to its popularity, the Central Government has implemented it in the entire country. Due to ODOP, products like brass of Moradabad, carpet of Bhadohi, chikankari of Lucknow are gaining recognition in the international market.
There has been a big jump in the exports of the state due to this scheme-
- 80 thousand crores in 2017 – now more than Rs 2 lakh crores
- Per capita income 46 thousand- Rs 1.20 lakh
- GSDP 12.75 lakh crore- Rs 31 lakh crore
Government’s focus: More recruitments and more self-employment opportunities
From a political point of view, the government is not just making announcements, but actual work is being done on the ground to provide employment to the youth. The government is answering the questions raised by the opposition on unemployment through record recruitments and new schemes. All facilities are being provided to the youth from training to financial assistance so that they can start their own enterprises and provide jobs to others also.
CM Yuva can play an important role in the upcoming elections
There is no doubt on Chief Minister Yogi’s policy towards the youth. CM Yuva Abhiyan is overshadowing all the schemes related to self-employment. There are assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh next year and it is believed that by the elections the beneficiaries of CM Yuva will exceed two lakhs. This scheme can become an important election weapon for BJP.