Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday announced that Uttar Pradesh will become the first state in the country to guarantee minimum wages and salaries for every working youth. He assured that worker exploitation will not be tolerated and companies must ensure fair pay, while the state government will bear any additional financial burden if required.
The Chief Minister made this announcement while inaugurating the three-day “Rozgar Mahakumbh 2025” in Lucknow. He emphasised that the initiative will guarantee dignified employment, job security, and full protection of workers’ rights.
Calling the youth a “reservoir of immense energy”, Mr. Adityanath said Uttar Pradesh’s biggest strength lies in its young population. “Once known for mass migration in search of jobs, the state is now generating employment within its own borders. Today, UP’s talent is in demand across India and globally,” he said, crediting the transformation to sustained efforts over the past eight years.
Boost to Traditional and MSME Industries
Highlighting the success of the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme, the CM noted that it has given traditional industries a new global identity. Nearly 96 lakh MSME units are operational in the state, which absorbed 90% of the more than 40 lakh migrant workers who returned during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The state has also extended an insurance cover of Rs. 5 lakh to registered MSME entrepreneurs. With each unit employing 2–10 youths, lakhs of people are securing dignified livelihoods.
Mr. Adityanath said schemes like Vishwakarma Shram Samman and PM Vishwakarma are empowering artisans such as carpenters, masons, blacksmiths, goldsmiths, potters, cobblers, and barbers with free toolkits, affordable loans, and specialised training.
Youth Empowerment Through Entrepreneurship
Under the CM Yuva Udyami Scheme, launched in January this year, interest-free loans without collateral are being given to youth aged 21 to 40. So far, over 70,000 young entrepreneurs have successfully established their businesses under this scheme.
The CM further claimed that in the past eight years, more than 8.5 lakh government jobs have been provided with complete transparency in departments such as police, education, health, agriculture, and public works, making Uttar Pradesh the leading state in government employment.
Investment and Skill Development
According to Mr. Adityanath, the state has introduced over 33 sectoral policies in the last eight years, and with platforms such as Invest UP, Nivesh Mitra, and the Single Window System, investments worth more than Rs. 15 lakh crore have flowed into the state, creating jobs for around 60 lakh youth.
He said the government is training youth in emerging fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Drone Technology, Robotics, and the Internet of Things. With support from Tata Technologies, modern labs and courses have been launched in ITIs and polytechnics. Language training is also being provided for youth migrating abroad to ensure they can adapt easily in countries like Germany and Japan.
Labour Protection and Future Vision
Mr. Adityanath stressed that labour laws are being modernised to safeguard workers’ rights while ensuring smooth industrial operations. He assured that no outsourcing company would be allowed to exploit workers, and every employee will receive their full salary.
Calling the Rozgar Mahakumbh a “bridge between youth and industry”, the CM said, “This event is not just about providing jobs but also about aligning training and courses with the new technological demands of the 21st century.”
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