Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mr. Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday strongly emphasized the transformation of the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, declaring that products under the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative are now outpacing Chinese goods in the local market. Addressing the Youth Conclave 2025 at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan, Lucknow, the Chief Minister recalled that before 2017, Chinese goods dominated festival markets, but that trend has reversed due to policy interventions focused on self-reliance and local enterprise.
Government Replaces Nepotism with Youth Empowerment
Mr. Adityanath stated that ODOP has always existed in Uttar Pradesh but lacked recognition and support due to the earlier governments’ focus on nepotism and indifference towards MSMEs. He alleged that those regimes were “a part of the conspiracy” to shut down local industries. The present government, he said, is focused on empowering youth and encouraging entrepreneurship.
CM Yuva Udyami Yojana: A Game Changer
The Mukhyamantri Yuva Udyami Yojana, according to the Chief Minister, is no longer just a government scheme but a powerful platform enabling youth to provide employment. He cited the scheme’s achievements, under which Rs. 2,751 crore has been disbursed to 68,000 young entrepreneurs. Under this scheme, the government covers interest and guarantee costs, along with 10% margin money support, reducing the financial burden on startups.
Mr. Adityanath expressed concern about universities being isolated from practical development policies. He stated that many students remain unaware of state and central schemes, often ending up burdened with debt due to poor financial planning. To address this, the government has signed MoUs with universities to inform students about these schemes.
Youth Conclave and Expo 2025: A One-Stop Business Platform
The two-day Youth Conclave and Expo 2025 is aimed at unleashing the entrepreneurial potential of lakhs of youth in the state. It brings together franchisees, investors, financial institutions, trainers, policy makers, and industrial brands under one roof, providing end-to-end support for business setup.
Additional Chief Secretary Mr. Alok Kumar (1993-batch IAS officer) said that 150 business ideas have been introduced, all of which can be started with investments as low as Rs. 5 lakh. He highlighted that this initiative, launched just a year ago, has seen tremendous response, and aims to create 10 lakh new entrepreneurs in the coming year. Universities have been brought into the fold, and 1,100 students participated in the conclave as budding entrepreneurs.
Mr. Kumar also announced the launch of a rooftop solar maintenance enterprise, further expanding the state’s green and tech-based entrepreneurship avenues.
Industries Department Sets Vision for Entrepreneurial Growth
Commissioner and Director of Industries Mr. Vijayendra Pandian added that the conclave serves as a one-stop business platform, simplifying the entire journey from a business idea to its successful launch. The government’s vision is to turn Uttar Pradesh into a hub of grassroots entrepreneurship powered by informed and capable youth.
The conclave marked a decisive step in the state’s roadmap to foster job creators rather than job seekers, aligning closely with the broader vision of a self-reliant India.
