Dehradun: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the Startup Samvad program under the Chief Servant Dialogue at the Chief Servant Sadan Dehradun on Sunday. During this, he interacted with people promoting startups from across the state and heard their important suggestions. On this occasion, the Chief Minister also released a book titled Unnat Uttarakhand and visited various stalls based on various startups.
Goal of the state government: Incubation center will be established in every district in five years.
The Chief Minister said that the state government has set a target of preparing 1000 startups by setting up an incubation center in every district in the next five years. Courses related to entrepreneurship have also been implemented in universities and colleges, as well as a dedicated startup portal has also been started. Uttarakhand Venture Fund has also been established with Rs 200 crore to promote startups in the state. The state government is providing financial assistance, technical guidance and infrastructure support to startups. The startup eco-system is being properly developed in the state.
Calling upon the youth: Start a startup in the state by taking advantage of government schemes.
The Chief Minister called upon the youth of the state to come forward to start a startup in the state and take advantage of government schemes. He said that the youth have to become job givers, not job seekers. The Chief Minister said that a new work culture has been infused in the country. Today, those who bring change in the society through innovation are being given a proper platform. The talented youth of the country are also giving employment to others through innovation. He said that the state of Uttarakhand is moving step by step with the whole country in the field of startups.
Startup Policy 2023 brought in the state.
The Chief Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country has emerged as a global hub of startups. Schemes like Startup India, Make in India and RAMP scheme have opened new avenues for the youth. The state government is also taking Uttarakhand forward in the field of startups. A better eco-system has been developed for startups in the state. Startup Policy 2023 has been implemented in the state. Under which a grant of up to Rs 15 lakh for seed funding and an allowance of up to Rs 22 thousand per month for the initial stage is being provided.
Startup is the power of new ideas, courage to make dreams come true and resolve to take the country forward.
The Chief Minister said that the government is promoting new startups by setting up a Center of Excellence in the state. He said that all the incubation centers in the state have also been linked to educational institutions. The government is setting up a world-class Uttarakhand Innovation Hub (U-Hub) in the IT Park in Dehradun at a cost of Rs 60 crore as the nodal incubation center for all these. As a result of the efforts of the state government, more than 1300 startups of the state have been recognized by the Government of India. 50 percent of the startups have been started by women. He said that startup is the power of new ideas, courage to make dreams come true and determination to take our country forward.
Startup starters shared their views.
Design studio founder Shraddha Negi expressed her gratitude to the Chief Minister and said that the state government is working to provide a new identity to startups. She said that she herself is promoting Vocal for Local, she is trying to bring Uttarakhand’s cultural heritage to the world stage. She urged the Chief Minister to include local art, architecture and crafts in One District One Product.
Kunal Uniyal of Integrated Maritime Exchange Pvt. Ltd. said that the state government always supports them to promote startups. He urged the Chief Minister to formulate a policy for digital infrastructure and include it in state-level innovation missions.
Vikas Shah of Palks Motors told the Chief Minister that he has developed a high-performance electric bike for the Himalayan region. For which he received financial assistance in the beginning. He urged the Chief Minister to make provision for subsidy for promoting innovations from the initial stage and also to reduce the tax imposed by the government.
Babita Singh, founder of Himgrace Organics, who came from Pithoragarh, said that she is working to promote farmers by doing farming in rural areas. She urged the Chief Minister to give special help to those who promote startups in rural areas. She said that special care should also be taken to ensure that basic facilities reach the place where the startup is started.
Swarleen Kaur from Runway-UPES said that startups in the state are getting excellent support through Uttarakhand Venture Fund (UVI), which is commendable. She urged the Chief Minister to integrate private incubators like Runway under these initiatives.
Chandramani Kumar, founder of Agrijoy LLP, said that he is returning to the hills and starting an agricultural business through protected farming. He urged the Chief Minister.
