Saturday, 5 December 2009

Omar unfolds employment, welfare policy for unemployed youth


On 104th birth Anniversary of Sher-e-Kashmir


Rs 500-1100 stipend to unemployed, 5 lakh jobs in next 5 years

*Rs 550 for 10+2 unemployed youth, Rs.900 to graduate, Rs 1100 to Post Graduate and Engineering and Medical graduates and equivalent levels in the field of Computer Science, Technology and Education, Rs 600 per month in respect of 10+2 with additional skill such as ITI and Rs 750 per month in case of eligible 10+2 with professional qualification equivalent to three year diploma from a recognized polytechnic institutions.


JAMMU, DEC 5 The Jammu and Kashmir Government announced Rs 500-1100 as stipend to be given to all educated unemployed youth under Voluntary Service Allowance (VSA), creation of employment opportunities under skill upgradation programme for a total of 5 lakh persons in next 5 years including recruitment of about one lac qualified people in government jobs and creation of an entrepreneurship development fund are among the main features of the state policy on unemployment unfolded by Jammu and Kashmir Government on the occasion of 104th birth anniversary of Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah today here.

Chief Minister. Mr Omar Abdullah released the 38-page policy document named as 'Sher-e-Kashmir Employment and Welfare Programme for the Youth (SKEWPY)' at a function organised at his official residence here.

He said the government would provide suitable stipends to unemployed youth who would undergo any skill upgradation or advance training programmes so that they can fill the void in all such fields where potential for employment exists.

He said that employment policy not meant government jobs for all unemployed youths and will be a holistic and multi-pronged strategy involving a long term solution to the problem of unemployment.

He said that the stipend would be for those whose annual family income does not exceed Rs 50,000 and/or who do not have more than 10 kanal of irrigated/20 kanal of unirrigated land.

Rs 500 per month would be paid in favour of eligible matriculates to Rs 1100 per month in favour of post graduates and medical graduates while an additional of Rs 50 per month for women across all categories of eligible unemployed.

He also said that the government fixed targets of 5 lac youth to be brought under skill upgradation programme and creation of job employment opportunities through industry, self-employment ventures including recruitment of about one lac qualified youth in government jobs through the current and next five financial years.

All the members of Council of Ministers, various Legislators, Chief Secretary and administrative secretaries of various departments were present on the occasion.

Mr. Omar said that from the day first government was actively involved in getting the data, district wise, provincial wise, category wise and gender wise about the status and magnitude of unemployment in the state to prepare a comprehensive programme to address the crises. “We have come up a holistic programme in the shape of SKEWPY to address the issue and pave way for all educated youth to get opportunity of earning reasonable and honourable livelihood”, he said adding that the programme is first step in our journey to mitigate the difficulties of unemployed youth and there is always scope to improve and upgrade the things. “If the need arises government would further strengthen the programme and expand its ambit”.

Mr. Abdullah said that the Cabinet threadbare discussed the programme in the Cabinet meeting and deliberated upon all its provisions and aspects. “There was no difference of opinion among the Cabinet Ministers on its any provision as reported by a section of press”, he said adding that Cabinet was unanimous in approving the much awaited and first of its kind comprehensive employment programme in last 60 years for the youth in which proper care has been taken to accommodate the educated youth from matric to post graduate level.

Announcing the financial help to educated unemployed youth, Mr. Omar said that instead of naming the assistance as unemployment allowance, government has found it proper to name it as Voluntary Service Allowance. He said that the allowance getting youth will have to put in a voluntary service to the society by way of rendering many helps in the field like education, health, social service etc.

The Voluntary Service Allowance envisages provision of Rs.500 to an unemployed youth with the qualification of matric per month while as it will be Rs. 550 for 10+2 unemployed youth, Rs.900 to a graduate, Rs.1100 to a post graduate and engineering and medical graduates and equivalent levels in the field of computer science, technology and education, Rs. 600 per month in respect of 10+2 with additional skill such as ITI and Rs.750 per month in case of eligible 10+2 persons with professional qualification equivalent to three year diploma from a recognized polytechnic institutions.

Mr. Omar said that government has drastically modified the self-employment policy making it purposeful, easy and highly beneficial reducing the burden of acquiring loans from the banks and providing for seed capital of Rs.3 lakh in respect of under-graduate, Rs.5 lakh in respect of graduates and Rs.7.5 lakh in respect of technically qualified prospective entrepreneurs. The state government shall also facilitate a tie up between JK EDI and financial institutions particularly J&K Bank for availability of adequate and timely credit wherever required.

Chief Minister said District Employment Exchanges have been converted in District Employment and Counseling Centres to play a dynamic role in dealing with the problem of unemployment. These DECCs will work in close co-ordination with Credit Counseling Centres being created by RBI. He said a separate State Policy on Skill Development to be framed consistent with the national policy to be executed under a State Council of Skill Development. As many as 22 rural self Employment Training Institutes will be opened through commercial banks. Of these 7 will be opened during the current financial year. Also 21 Industrials Training Institutes (ITIs) will be converted into centres of excellence with active participation of industry at a cost of Rs.67.50 crore. He said 18 polytechnics are also being opened in the state to provide training to the youth in modern trades for which there is great demand in the open market.



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