‘State among fastest growing economies’

Lucknow: UP has transformed from a 'Bimaru' state into one of the country’s fastest-growing economies due to improvements in infrastructure, law and order and support for small industries, MSME minister Rakesh Sachan said during TOI’s 'Defining 9 Years of Transformation' interview on Thursday.

Sachan said that UP, once known for unemployment and migration, was now attracting investors from across the country and abroad. The minister said UP has around 96 lakh MSME units, accounting for nearly 15% of the country’s MSMEs, providing employment to crores of people. “MSMEs are not just industries, they are the economic backbone of poor families,” he said.

Highlighting infrastructure growth, Sachan said expressways, highways, improved rail services and expanding air connectivity had strengthened the state’s economy. He cited projects such as Purvanchal expressway, Bundelkhand expressway and the 596-km-long Ganga expressway, along with the upcoming Jewar airport.

He said better law and order under the present govt had increased investor confidence. “Earlier, industries were uncertain about safety. Today, investors feel secure and are coming to UP with confidence,” he said.

Referring to the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme launched in 2018, Sachan said the initiative revived traditional products from all 75 districts, including Banarasi sarees, Kannauj perfumes, Saharanpur woodcraft, Firozabad glasswork, Lucknow chikankari and Bhadohi carpets. He said artisans and entrepreneurs were provided training, subsidies, loans and marketing support to expand businesses and reach global markets.

The minister added that the govt was now preparing to launch ‘ODOP 2.0’, under which existing businesses looking to expand would also receive assistance.

Sachan also highlighted the recently launched 'One District One Cuisine' initiative aimed at promoting UP’s traditional food products. He said district-level committees had been formed to identify famous local dishes and food products for promotion.

The minister said the scheme had received cabinet approval with a budget allocation of Rs 150 crore and would help generate employment while taking UP’s regional food culture to national and international markets.