Action plan for 'Startup India, Standup India' to be unveiled on Jan 16

The action plan for 'Startup India, Standup India', which aims to boost entrepreneurship at the grass roots, will be unveiled on January 16.

In his monthly 'Mann ki Baat' radio programme on Sunday, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi urged the states to help spread the campaign across the country. "My dear young friends, in my August 15 address from the Red Fort, I had made preliminary mention about 'Start-up India, Standup India. After that, this spread to all the departments of the government. Can India be a 'Start-up Capital'? Can the youth in the states have opportunities in the form of start-ups with innovation- whether it be manufacturing, service sector or agriculture? In everything, there should be freshness, new ways, new thinking. The world cannot move ahead without innovation," Modi said.

The PM said that the programme will be designed to suit Indian conditions and focus on ensuring benefits for the youth from the lowest strata of the society. "On January 16, the government of India will unveil the full action plan of Start-up India, Stand-up India ... A structure will be presented before you. This programme will be connected to the country's IITs, IIMs, Central universities and NITs. Wherever there are youth, they will be linked through live connectivity," he said.

The programme is aimed at promoting bank financing for start-up ventures and offer incentives to boost entrepreneurship and job creation. The government will design the programme according to needs of the country. Giving an idea, Modi said that if some youths develops something through innovation to make a poor labourer's life comfortable, he would ask banks to help such people. The PM said it is wrong to assume that assets of knowledge are confined to some cities only and added that youth with capabilities are spread all over the country.

"They want opportunities. This Start-up India, Stand-up India should not be limited to only some cities but spread to every nook and corner of the country. In this context, I urge the states also to push this campaign. On January 16, I will be with you to give a detailed overview of the campaign," he said while welcoming suggestions from people.