Lucknow, October 31: Marking the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on Saturday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Kaushal Prashikshan Evam Rozgar Kshetra Vikas Yojana at Lok Bhavan in Lucknow. Announcing that the state will set up dedicated Skill and Employment Zones across all 75 districts, the Chief Minister confirmed that the initial rollout has begun in Gorakhpur, Lucknow, Kanpur, Jhansi, and Gautam Buddh Nagar before expanding to all 18 divisional headquarters.
The newly introduced centers aim to offer a streamlined, single-window system for youth registration, interest-aligned skill development, and direct employment placements. In addition to local career avenues, the centers will provide specialized foreign language and skill training for individuals seeking international placements in countries such as Japan and Germany, with support from respective embassies. Major industrial partners and institutions, including Tata Indian Institute of Skills, Ashok Leyland, Asian Development Bank, CIPET, and Avaada, have partnered with the state to drive the initiative.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister emphasized that combining scale with skill is essential for economic progress. He noted that UP’s vast youth demographic represents the state’s greatest asset and highlighted supporting financial initiatives, including interest-free loans of up to ₹5 lakh under the CM Yuva Yojana alongside the PM Mudra Yojana.
In a sharp political critique aimed at previous Congress and Samajwadi Party administrations, CM Yogi asserted that past leadership suffered from a “BIMARU mindset” that neglected youth potential and enabled mafia influence. He contrasted past leakages in welfare delivery with current Direct Benefit Transfer mechanisms via Jan Dhan accounts, affirming that administrative reforms and improved law and order have generated millions of public and private sector opportunities across the state.
