Why cant UP start factories to engage that huge population ?

UP factory count has increased esp in last years. Very specific ones ranging from Noida to Hardoi to Firozabad

why can't a laid off person just get a job ?

Because starting a factory in India is not an easy task like sharing an article on an online platform and asking dumb questions without knowing the history of the state.

UP does have sizable goods and artisan products manufacturing. Factories make sense when there is consumption. It's cheaper to make it locally in Maharashtra or TN then to pay transport and state taxes to get it made in UP. But I do see an uptake in the Noida and kanpur belt.