'Atma Nirbhar Uttar Pradesh Rojgar Abhiyan': PM Modi to launch UP's mega employment scheme today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch ‘Atma Nirbhar Uttar Pradesh Rojgar Abhiyan' for migrant workers returning to UP on Friday. The scheme is part of the government's nationwide initiative 'Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyan' which was launched on June 20. 

The project is aimed at generating employment with a thrust towards creating infrastructure in backward regions of the country.

The Prime Minister will launch the programme at 11 am on Friday through video-conference in presence of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. 

"COVID-19 pandemic has had an adverse impact on the workforce in general and migrant workers in particular. A large number of migrant workers returned to several states. The challenge of containing Covid-19 was compounded by the need to provide basic amenities and means of livelihood to migrants and rural workers," the Prime Minister's Office said on Thursday. 

Lakhs of workers returned to their homes as lockdown over coronavirus was announced in March. In Uttar Pradesh alone, nearly 30 lakh migrant workers returned with 31 districts of the state having more than 25,000 returnee migrant workers. These include 5 aspirational districts. 

"The Government of Uttar Pradesh envisaged a unique initiative “Atma Nirbhar Uttar Pradesh Rojgar Abhiyan” which dovetails programs of Government of India and the state government while creating partnerships with industry and other organisations," the PMO said. 

The scheme is intensely focused towards providing employment, promote local entrepreneurship and create a partnership with Industrial associations and other organisations to provide employment opportunities, it said. 

At the programme launch on Friday, the Prime Minister will interact with villagers from six districts of Uttar Pradesh. Villages across all districts of Uttar Pradesh will join this program through the Common Service Centers and Krishi Vigyan Kendras, maintaining the norms of social distancing in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the government said.