Excelsior Correspondent
REASI, Nov 28: N. N. Vohra, Governor, today underscored the need for taking all required measures for enlarging awareness among youth about the various State and Central Government self-employment schemes so that they could gain maximum benefit from all such programmes. He observed that Sarpanchs, Panchs and people at large need to be involved in a big way to secure the desired objectives in regard to spreading awareness about these schemes in all parts of the State.
The Governor was inaugurating the 2-day Employment Fair at Reasi, which was organized by the District Administration.
The Governor advised Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Deputy Commissioner, Reasi, to devise ways and means so that the maximum number of people, even from the remotest areas of the district, could participate in such Employment Fairs and draw benefit of the various schemes aimed at generating employment avenues.
He added that there is vast potential for growth and employment avenues in sectors like agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, poultry farming, beekeeping, sheep and animal husbandry, mushroom cultivation etc. In this context, he said that several schemes have been launched by the Government and the Employment Fairs provide useful platforms for the people to get to know about these schemes and avail the benefits.
Referring to the various development-oriented demands presented on this occasion, the Governor, who is Chancellor of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, observed that the infrastructure is being continuously expanded and upgraded at this varsity to meet the emerging requirements of this institution of higher learning in which students from all over the country are pursuing their education. He said that new courses are being introduced in sync with the job market requirements and several short-term skill upgradation courses are being organized by the University. He suggested to Prof. Sudhir K. Jain, Vice Chancellor of the University to assess the requirements of short-term skill upgradation courses for the youth, in consultation with the Deputy Commissioner and then commence those which have a high employment potential.
The Governor, who is Chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, dwelt on the various infrastructure development projects which have been taken up by the Shrine Board at Katra. In this context, he referred to the Multi-purpose Sports Stadium being constructed at Katra by the Shrine Board.
The Governor observed that with Katra shortly getting rail connectivity there would be urgent need to further upgrade road network and public utilities to meet the emerging requirements. He said that he and the Chief Minister had had several meetings in the past to discuss development needs of Katra and its surrounding areas, and in this context they are scheduled to have another meeting shortly.
The Governor inspected 62 stalls set up by the various departments and organizations at the Employment Fair and interacted with the concerned officers in regard to the schemes displayed there for enlarging awareness among youth.
Ajaz Ahmad Khan, Minister of State for Revenue, said that Employment Fairs provide a valuable opportunity for the administration and the people to interact about the various self-employment schemes. He called upon the people, particularly youth to take best advantage of the schemes launched by the Government for generating employment avenues. He referred to the high potential for growth of horticulture, agriculture and tourism in the area. He thanked the Governor for inaugurating the Employment Fair.
Baldev Raj Sharma, MLA, presented to the Governor a memorandum of development-oriented needs of Reasi district.
Jugal Kishore Sharma, MLC urged for further upgradation of infrastructure at Katra to meet the emerging needs.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Deputy Commissioner, Reasi, giving details of the Employment Fair said that 62 stalls have been set up by various departments, organizations and placement agencies. He said that career counseling session is also being rganized in the Employment Fair where the aspirants of various competitive examinations will be guided by IAS, IPS and Army Officers.
During the fair, the Governor also distributed loans and subsidy cheques worth Rs 50 lakh and 25 training certificates apart from keys of three vehicles (taxis) to the beneficiaries of J&K SC/ST and BCs Development Corporation.
Y P Suman, Managing Director of the Corporation highlighted the schemes and programmes of the Corporation, which, he said, is working as State Channelizing Agency of six national level Corporations of the Government of India and upliftment of SCs, STs, BCs, Notified National Minorities, Safai Karamcharis and handicapped categories in the State besides implementing welfare schemes in collaboration with the Banks.
Mr Suman informed that the Corporation has provided financial assistance to the tune of Rs 126.68 crores to 30,146 beneficiaries to target group in the State under its schemes so far. He said the Corporation has disbursed loans worth Rs 5 crore to 800 beneficiaries in Reasi during last six years. During current financial year, Rs 1 crore worth loan was sanctioned in favour of 90 beneficiaries in the district. He added that recovery of loan advanced in the district was 88 per cent.
A cultural programme was presented by the Information Department on this occasion.
Prof. Sudhir K. Jain, Vice Chancellor, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University; Navin K. Choudhary, Principal Secretary to the Governor; Dr. Mandeep K. Bhandari, Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board; senior Civil, Police, Army and Security Forces officers, Divisional and District Officers, prominent persons of the area and youth were present on this occasion.
Rajinder Singh Tara, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Reasi, presented a vote of thanks.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
