Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced seven major initiatives on Independence Day, with a strong focus on youth employment, entrepreneurship and development in the hill districts.
The announcements include the establishment of the state’s first Youth Commission, a new self-employment scheme for people aged 18 to 30, special industrial parks in three districts and additional support for youth from border areas.
First Youth Commission to Give Youth a Dedicated Platform
The proposed Youth Commission will provide an institutional platform for young people to raise their concerns, suggestions and expectations with the government.
Issues such as employment, competitive examinations, skill development and self-employment remain important for the state’s youth. The commission is expected to provide a dedicated mechanism to address these concerns and improve communication between young people and the government.
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New Scheme to Promote Youth Entrepreneurship
CM Dhami also announced the Mukhyamantri Yuva Swarozgar Evam Udyamita Protsahan Yojana for young people between 18 and 30 years.
Under the scheme, eligible youth will receive free entrepreneurship and skill training with support from institutions such as IITs and IIMs.
The government will also provide a 30% grant against the bank loan amount for setting up eligible enterprises. The initiative is intended to encourage young people to explore entrepreneurship and self-employment alongside traditional employment opportunities.
Industrial Parks Planned in Three Hill Districts
Special industrial parks will be established in Chamoli, Pauri and Almora.
The move is aimed at expanding industrial activity and creating employment opportunities in the hill regions. Greater local employment could also help strengthen the rural economy and address migration-related challenges faced by mountain districts.
More Support for Border-Area Youth
The government will provide additional assistance and incentives to youth from border villages, ex-servicemen and Agniveers for self-employment and enterprise creation.
The initiative seeks to create more livelihood opportunities in strategically important border areas while encouraging local residents to build sustainable sources of income.
Land Rights and Housing Support
The Chief Minister also announced an extension of the time limit for regularising Class 3 and Class 4 land, with eligible occupants to receive land ownership rights.
For housing, the state contribution under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana will increase from ₹50,000 to ₹75,000.
The increase is expected to provide additional financial support to eligible beneficiaries seeking to build or complete their homes.
Seven Announcements at a Glance
- Uttarakhand will establish its first Youth Commission.
- Special industrial parks will be developed in Chamoli, Pauri and Almora.
- Border-area youth, ex-servicemen and Agniveers will receive additional support for self-employment.
- The deadline for regularising Class 3 and Class 4 land will be extended, with eligible occupants receiving land rights.
- The state contribution under PM Awas Yojana will increase from ₹50,000 to ₹75,000.
- A youth self-employment and entrepreneurship scheme will target those aged 18–30 years.
- Bal Veerta Awards will honour brave children in the state.
Focus on Jobs, Enterprise and Hill Development
The announcements put youth, jobs and local development at the centre of Uttarakhand’s agenda. The Youth Commission, entrepreneurship scheme and hill industrial parks aim to expand opportunities, while housing and land measures offer social support. Their impact will depend on effective implementation and accessibility.
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