Lucknow: In a landmark move aimed at transforming the employment landscape of Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has given his approval to the formation of the ambitious ‘Uttar Pradesh Employment Mission’. This mission sets an ambitious target of providing private sector employment to one lakh youths within a year and facilitating overseas jobs for 25,000 to 30,000 young individuals from the state.
The decision, taken in a recent cabinet meeting, is being hailed as a historic step towards empowering the state’s vast youth population and boosting economic development. Labour and Employment Minister Anil Rajbhar, while addressing the media after the cabinet meeting, elaborated on the comprehensive plan that will be implemented under this mission.
So far, Uttar Pradesh has relied on external recruitment agencies to help its youths secure jobs abroad. This dependency not only complicated the process but also increased costs and risks for job seekers. Under the new mission, however, the state government itself will obtain a recruiting agent (RA) license, making it a direct facilitator of overseas employment. This is expected to enhance transparency, reduce exploitation, and ensure better working conditions and salaries for the youths.
According to Minister Rajbhar, there is an increasing demand for skilled manpower from Uttar Pradesh in foreign countries, especially in fields such as nursing, paramedical services, driving, domestic work, and other skilled trades. The Employment Mission will enable the state to directly tap into these opportunities, allowing youths to find dignified and well-paying jobs without depending on private middlemen.
The government plans to conduct a detailed survey to assess employment demands both within the country and abroad. Based on this data, partnerships will be established directly with domestic and international companies. A significant emphasis will be laid on identifying skill gaps and providing appropriate training programs to bridge them.
Furthermore, language training and pre-departure orientation will be given to those selected for overseas jobs to ensure that they are well-prepared for work and life abroad. Career counseling, campus placement drives, and robust post-placement support and monitoring will also be integral parts of this mission.
Minister Rajbhar emphasized that this mission reflects CM Yogi Adityanath’s vision of providing jobs based on individual skills. “Every hand will get work, every skill will get respect — this is no longer a mere slogan; it is a ground reality we are bringing to life,” he said.
In addition to employment-related measures, the cabinet meeting also marked a significant step towards women’s empowerment. The government decided to allow women workers to work in all 29 hazardous categories of factories, provided they meet certain safety conditions. Previously, women were prohibited from working in these categories, limiting their employment opportunities.
With this decision, the government aims to ensure that women can actively contribute to making Uttar Pradesh a one trillion-dollar economy. Minister Rajbhar highlighted that this policy shift would not only empower women but also significantly boost industrial productivity and economic growth.
Meanwhile, the cabinet also approved the construction of a new greenfield link expressway that will connect the Agra-Lucknow Expressway to the Purvanchal Expressway. This 49.96 km-long, six-lane expressway, which can be expanded to eight lanes in the future, will be built under the EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) model at an estimated cost of ₹4,775 crore.
The new expressway will provide faster connectivity between key cities like Lucknow, Agra, Prayagraj, Varanasi, and Ghazipur. It is expected to reduce traffic congestion in the state capital, enhance logistics efficiency, and give a major boost to industries operating across Uttar Pradesh. This project further strengthens UP’s growing expressway network, positioning the state as a leading hub for infrastructure and economic activities.
