Gonda — Across the four districts of Devipatan Division—Gonda, Bahraich, Balrampur and Shravasti—a silent but determined economic shift is underway. What was once largely defined by primary agriculture is steadily evolving into a landscape of small manufacturing units, food processing clusters and youth-led enterprises. The momentum reflects the broader development push aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s emphasis on decentralized industrial growth.
On the ground in Gonda, this transformation has been shaped not just by schemes, but by sustained administrative direction. District Magistrate Priyanka Niranjan and Chief Development Officer Ankita Jain have provided close monitoring, regular reviews and inter-departmental coordination to ensure that policy intent translates into measurable outcomes.
At the operational level, Deputy Commissioner Industries Babu Ram Yadav has played a pivotal role in guiding beneficiaries, streamlining approvals and ensuring timely credit linkage between entrepreneurs and financial institutions.
Credit Access Unlocks Enterprise
A major driver of this growth has been the Mukhymantri Yuva Udyami Vikas Yojna, under which young aspirants have been provided collateral-free loans and capital support to establish enterprises. Across Devipatan Division, 5,618 new units have been set up under the initiative, generating nearly 11,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities.
For first-generation entrepreneurs, the removal of collateral requirements has reduced entry barriers significantly. Regular district-level review mechanisms have further ensured faster sanctioning and disbursement of loans.
Expanding the Self-Employment Base
Complementing this effort, the Chief Minister’s Youth Self-Employment Scheme has extended structured financial assistance to individuals between 18 and 40 years of age seeking to establish ventures in manufacturing and services.
Across the division, 280 units have received loans totaling ₹3,190.72 lakh, resulting in employment generation for approximately 1,500 individuals. Officials note that handholding support—ranging from documentation assistance to compliance guidance—has strengthened the sustainability of these ventures.
ODOP Strengthens Local Identity
The One District One Product (ODOP) initiative has added strategic focus to industrial expansion by aligning each district with its inherent strengths:
•Gonda — Pulse and maize processing
•Bahraich — Wheat-based products
•Balrampur — Pulse processing
•Shravasti — Furniture and wood-based industries
Under ODOP, 92 units have secured loans amounting to ₹8,163.88 lakh. The upcoming Common Facility Centre for maize processing in Gonda is expected to benefit nearly 5,000 farmers, entrepreneurs and traders by providing shared infrastructure for value addition.
Investment Momentum Gains Ground
Investor confidence is also reflecting in hard numbers. In Gonda district alone, 114 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed, representing proposed investments of ₹3,119.02 crore. Of these, ₹663.92 crore has already materialized, generating employment for 4,062 individuals.
The relatively smooth transition from investment proposals to operational units is being attributed to proactive district facilitation and consistent administrative follow-up.
Governance Driving Grassroots Growth
Officials emphasize that the emerging industrial ecosystem in Devipatan is the result of coordinated governance. Strategic policy support at the state level, combined with active district leadership and departmental execution, has created an enabling environment where young entrepreneurs feel supported rather than constrained.
For a region historically marked by outward migration, the visible rise of local enterprises signals a structural shift. Production units are taking shape, local produce is being processed within district boundaries, and youth are increasingly choosing entrepreneurship over relocation.
Devipatan’s industrial ascent underscores a larger lesson: when policy clarity meets accountable implementation and responsive administration, grassroots enterprise can become a powerful engine of regional transformation.
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