‘No distinction in promoting talent’: UP CM Yogi Adityanath

The state’s MSME sector had grown because there was no distinction of caste or class, but just a focus on promoting the skills of the youth resulting in exports over ₹2 lakh crores, said UP chief minister, Yogi Adityanath.

 

He was speaking at the International MSME day at the Lok Bhawan in Lucknow today.

 

The event was marked by the launch of the CM YUVA app for the Mukhyamantri Yuva Udyami Vikas Yojana.

 

This is a scheme that offers interest free, collateral free loan of ₹5 lakh to entrepreneurs through a process that is almost completely online. Since January when this scheme was launched, more than 55,000 entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 40 have benefited from it.

 

In phase 2, when the initial loan has been repaid, the entrepreneur can get another tranche of upto Rs ₹7.5 lakh and a third one of upto ₹10 lakh.

 

From traditional ideas to food carts and cloud kitchens to new age ones like digital libraries, drones and eco friendly bricks- the scheme has attracted a host of young people- some of whom are now sending their products all over the state, the country and some are even seeking export opportunities.

 

The scheme, the CM said, was like a security shield for small entrepreneurs. It also ensured that the state’s talent stayed within the state and contributed to its growth.

 

Yogi Adityanath said that there was a time when UP had such a poor image that people could not even get a hotel room by paying. Now the state was known for being crime free and one with world class infrastructure.

 

Of the many examples he touched upon of GI tagged products that had made their mark in the world he spoke about carpets from Bhadohi. The industry was struggling pre 2017, said the CM. But now, carpets from Bhadohi accounted for 60 per cent of the carpets exported from India.

 

The state has more than 96 lakh MSMEs which employ some two-crore people. This is the highest number anywhere in the country. The CM said that these MSMEs were also the cornerstone for bigger units as they served as feeder units.

India