Uttarakhand News: The focus of the state government has increased on creating new employment and self-employment opportunities for the youth in Uttarakhand. After 34 thousand youth got government jobs during the four and a half year tenure of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the government is now moving towards promoting skill development, entrepreneurship and self-employment. The aim of the government is to make the youth not just job seekers but employment providers.
Of the seven announcements made by the Chief Minister on the occasion of Independence Day, four are directly related to youth skills, employment and entrepreneurship. Through these announcements, special emphasis has been laid on giving opportunities to the youth of hilly and border areas to move forward on the basis of local resources.
Special Industrial Parks in Hilly Districts
The Chief Minister has announced to develop special industrial parks in Chamoli, Pauri and Almora. Through these parks, employment and entrepreneurship opportunities will be developed in accordance with the local resources and capabilities of the youth of the hilly areas. This is expected to create new options for work and business at the local level in the mountains.
New scheme for youth between 18 to 30 years
Chief Minister Youth Self-Employment and Entrepreneurship Promotion Scheme has been announced for the youth aged between 18 to 30 years. Under this, youth will be given free entrepreneurship and skill training in collaboration with prestigious institutions like IIT and IIM.
There is also a provision for financial assistance along with training in the scheme. The government will give 30 percent of the bank loan amount as grant to start the enterprise. This will provide financial help to the youth to start their own business and they will be able to convert their skills into business.
Youth Commission will be formed for the first time
It has been decided to establish Youth Commission for the first time in Uttarakhand to pursue youth related issues in a better way. This commission can serve as an important platform for giving suggestions and policy initiatives on issues related to education, employment, skill development and entrepreneurship.
Special assistance to youth and fire warriors of border areas
The government has also announced additional assistance to the youth of border villages, ex-servicemen and firefighters for setting up self-employment and enterprises. Increasing local employment opportunities in border areas can also help in tackling the challenge of migration. Efforts will be made to link the experience and skills of ex-servicemen and firefighters with entrepreneurship.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the aim of the government is to make the youth of Uttarakhand not only employment seekers but also employment providers. According to him, after giving opportunities to the youth in government services through transparent recruitment, now new opportunities are being created through skill development, self-employment and entrepreneurship. The government believes that youth power is the biggest strength of developed Uttarakhand.