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| In memory of Sheikh, something for almost everyone | | Omar unveils job policy: allowance for small job hunters, easy funds for enterprising minds | |
ZAFAR CHOUDHARY
Jammu, Dec 5: After a busy daylong of marathon of inaugurations, laying of foundation stones, memorial lectures and prayer services in memory of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, for Chief Minister Omar Abdullah it was the time for making keenly awaited announcement –the job policy of the coalition government which has been much in the talk since Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather talked about it in his budget earlier in August this year.
Named after Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and unveiled on his 104th birth anniversary, the employment policy, though not a readymade job ticket, offers at least something for almost every unemployed employable person in Jammu and Kashmir. Omar Abdullah read out and explained broad contours of the policy at a crowded press conference here this evening. Though there were huge expectations in the Kashmir Valley where people expected the Chief Minister to make a speech at Hazratbal to announce the policy, but Omar had to return to Jammu to make an announcement after the proposal was cleared by the cabinet.
For the large chunk of population across the state mainly attracted to the government employment, the main attraction of the job policy, known as Sher-i-Kashmir Employment and Welfare Programme for Youth, is the monthly allowance which perhaps no other government in the country could have afforded to offer. Largely seen the unemployment stipend, voluntary service allowance is though meagre –ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 1100 per month –but it is expected to cost the exchequer Rs 250 Crore annually if all listed educated and unemployed youths apply for it.
The job policy reflects that government is willing to walk en extra mile for the enterprising minds who want to set up income and employment generating avenues while there were allowances for those who would be happy with anything provided that it was coming from the government.
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. 80529 youths are reported to have registered with the employment exchanges under these categories of educational qualification.
Stipend to the educated and unemployed youth till obtain gainful jobs was the biggest promise the National Conference had made in its election campaign but after taking over as Chief Minister Omar has been slow on the premise till this policy was announced today. Over the past 11 months, the Chief Minister did not indulge in any statements raising hopes on job for everyone. He 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.
Chief Minister 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.
Chief Minister strong asserted that the policy, which comes into effect from April 1, is on experimental basis and the government was open making amendments depending upon the response. He also said that one lakh regular government jobs shall be created and filled in during the tenure of present government.
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