Firdous Hassan
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir government has launched a massive reach-out programme to provide financial support to unemployed youth for setting up their own units.
“The administration has decided to identify a minimum of five talented youths from every Panchayat, who are willing to become entrepreneurs. They will be supported under various schemes and accordingly assisted by experts to set up their own units,” an official said.
Panchayat representatives and Block Development Council (BDC) members will be roped-in to identify these volunteers.
“These directions have come from Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha. He directed to initiate this drive to provide a livelihood to qualified and capable youth. The administration has already initiated many schemes under which a subsidy is offered to the youth willing to start their enterprises,” the official said.
Moreover, J&K Bank will extend loan facilities to three lakh new entrepreneurs for setting up agri-ventures, officials said.
During a meeting with Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Mehta, J&K Bank Chairman RK Chibber said there is a target to reach out to 12 lakh people associated with the priority sector in the current fiscal.
Officials said that the UT administration is exploring `Saath’ and `Mumkin’ schemes to help unemployed youth to become entrepreneurs.
` Saath’, is dedicated to women Self Help Groups (SHGs). Under Saath, their products will be marketed by the government.
Similarly, ‘Mumkin’ is a livelihood programme designed primarily for unemployed young people in the age bracket of 18 to 35, with a special focus on those already working in the transport sector or who want to boost their earnings through self-employment.
The programme is a part of the Mission Youth Initiative of the J&K government to uplift, mentor, and provide sustainable livelihood to the youth registered with District Employment and Counselling Centres (DE&CC).
