UP that is uniquely famous for product-specific traditional industrial hubs across 75 districts, including Varanasi (Banarasi silk saris), Bhadohi (carpets), Lucknow (chikan), Kanpur (tannery industry and leather goods), Agra (leather footwear), Meerut (sports goods) and many more. The much awaited scheme One District One Product (ODOP) was launched by Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday in Uttar Pradesh on the occasion of the first UP Diwas function here.

The scheme was launched in presence of state Governor Ram Naik and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Besides ODOP, a documentary about ‘Uttar Pradesh’ was also released. Logo of UP Diwas was also released by the dignitaries.

On the occasion, the state government distributed loan up to Rs 10 lakh to 110 beneficiaries of eight blocks under the centrally-sponsored Mudra scheme.

The ambitious ODOP scheme is aimed at giving a major push to traditional industries synonymous with the respective districts of the state, Mr Adityanath claimed while welcoming the guests at the function.

Mr Adityanath has espoused the ODOP theme and has referred to it at various platforms to underline his pro-industry and pro-employment agenda.

The government has target to provide over 5 lakh jobs through this new ODOP scheme which was also approved by the state cabinet on Tuesday evening for launching e-marketing and other facilities of financing for the artisan and traders.

ODOP is basically a Japanese business development concept, which gained prominence in 1979.

State Industrial Development Commission (IDC) Anup Chandra Pandey said that the State government wants to help the district-specific industries and products gain national and international recognition through branding, marketing support and easy credit.