Chandigarh, Sept 30: The Centre aims at giving jobs to nearly 7,000 youths in Jammu and Kashmir during the current fiscal under the 'Himayat' scheme, a job-oriented skill development project launched in 2010, Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh said here today.
 The scheme mostly covers school and college dropouts and those from poor financial background, Ramesh said, adding that jobs have already been provided to 1,700 beneficiaries ever since the programme was launched in December last year.
 "Next month, nearly 2,000 youths will get appointment letters for various jobs and for 2012-13, our target is to provide employment to 7,000 youths from the state," he said.
 Ramesh was addressing a group of beneficiaries, including women from far-flung areas of J&K, in Mohali near here.
 Under the scheme, people have been placed at entry-level positions in hospitality, insurance and other sectors, Ramesh said, adding that while 134 beneficiaries were employed in Chandigarh, rest of them were absorbed by companies at Ludhiana, Delhi and Gurgaon and some in J&K itself.
 The Centre intends to have training centres in all 140 blocks of J&K state, he said.
 Announcing to hike relocation allowance for the beneficiaries to Rs 12,000 for six months from Rs 2,000 for two months, Ramesh said efforts will also be made to sort out the problem of accommodation for these youths and steps like providing them vacant government houses and hostels are under consideration.
 The Centre is also trying to make the process of opening of bank accounts for these beneficiaries hassle-free, he said.
 The minister said that he was happy to note that "winds of change" were sweeping the militancy-affected state, as more and more youths and their parents wanted their children to go out and hunt for employment.
 "This reflects the change that has taken place in the state," he said, adding that soon they were going to open a training centre under 'Himayat' at Sopore.
 Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Shivraj Patil, besides senior officials of the Union Ministry and those part of the 'Himayat' programme were also present on the occasion.
 Speaking on the occasion, Patil asked the youth to be ready to serve anywhere in the country.
 "Entire India is yours and you should feel at home in any part of the country," Patil said.
 Himayat, the Rs 237-crore scheme launched by the Centre last year, aims at providing jobs to one lakh youth from Jammu and Kashmir through skill development programmes.
 The youths who were present in today's function hailed mostly from remote areas of J&K including Baramulla, Rajouri, Doda and some from far flung areas of Jammu.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 30 Sep 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 30 Sep 2012 18:30:00 GMT
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