Jehangir Rashid
SRINAGAR, July 23: I find it easier to move around in Srinagar than the Naxal-hit districts of Chhattisgarh, Orissa and Jharkhand, quipped Union Minister Jairam Ramesh.
The Minister, who visited the Kashmir valley today to promote Centre’s Himayat Programme for unemployed youths, noted that security situation has improved in Jammu and Kashmir and said it was “an achievement of the Congress-led UPA Government” at the Centre.
“I have been coming here for last 25 years. Today, I can tell you, it is easier moving around in Srinagar than in some parts of Chhattisgarh, some parts of Orissa and some parts of Jharkhand,” Ramesh said during his interaction with Kashmir University students.
His statement came when a participant raised the issue of alleged harassment of University students at the hands of security officials.
The Rural Development Minister is a frequent visitor of Naxal affected areas including Malkangiri (Orissa), Saranda (Jharkhand) and Sukma (Chhattisgarh) to monitor the development programme initiated by the Centre in the tribal dominated areas.
Later, talking to reporters, Ramesh said, “Look at the change. Look at the security. There are no bunkers. This is my 15th visit to the Valley as a Union Minister. For the first time, I didn’t have personnel security and I travelled in a non-bullet proof car…. This is 100 per cent achievement of the Congress party,” Ramesh said.
Though then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee announced elections in the State in 2002, the only national leader who campaigned in the same year was Congress chief Sonia Gandhi.
“No other leader campaigned in 2002 elections,” the Minister said, adding that the positive change in Kashmir started occurring during the tenure of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and Ghulam Nabi Azad as Chief Ministers.
Earlier, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said that merit and not political considerations should be the basis for the selection of the youth for Centre’s Himayat and other projects aimed at providing training and jobs to youth of the State.
Addressing a function of handing over appointment letters to over 500 youth under Himayat programme at Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI), Sempora in Pulwama district, Omar said that the youth should be selected on the basis of merit and not on their political affiliation.
He said that the best thing in getting a job under the Himayat scheme is that no money is involved and the trainees need not to grease palms for a job.
“It is heartening to note that youth are ready to move and do jobs under the Himayat scheme. There is no dearth of talent in the State, once given a chance the youth can produce wonderful results,” said Omar.
Referring to his visit to Kolkatta and his interaction with the Udaan trainees there, Omar said that 96 percent of the trainees have been selected for the next round of training and placement. He said girls along with boys have also joined the Udaan scheme adding that girls have also made a mark in the Himayat scheme.
“The youth who get jobs outside the country are up against two challenges. They need to be retained at their jobs and accommodation should also be given to them without much difficulty. Trainees are our brand ambassadors and they should work with honesty and dedication since their growth with the organization depends on that. I am glad that the trained youth both under the Himayat and Udaan programmes are ready to take on more challenges,” said Omar.
Hailing Jairam Ramesh for his contribution towards the development of the State in various capacities, Omar said that he would suggest to Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh not to transfer Jairam Ramesh from Rural Development Ministry until the Himayat scheme is taken to its logical conclusion.
In his speech, Union Rural Development Minister, Jairam Ramesh announced a slew of incentives for the trainees under the Himayat programme. The Minister said that steps would be taken so that youth of the State are not harassed once they get jobs outside the State.
“It has been observed that some of the trainees faced difficulty in getting accommodation outside the State. We are ready to issue a certificate in which it would be written that the trainee seeking accommodation is not linked with militancy. Various other steps are being taken to inculcate confidence among the youth after they get jobs in various industries and companies in different parts of the country,” said Ramesh.
Ramesh announced that post-placement assistance for the trainees has been increased from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 2,000 for six months instead of two months. He said under the programme training centres would be set up at 141 blocks spread across the State. He said under the training programme one lakh youth of the State would be trained after which they would be given jobs in BPO, retail, hospitality and other sectors.
“The Panchayat elections held last year were significant as 80 percent people despite threats came out and voted during these elections. There are 1,439 Panchayats across the State and from today onwards these Panchayats would be included in this scheme. The Panchs and Sarpanchs would propose the names of the youth for the purpose of training and subsequent placement,” said Ramesh.
He said that 1250 youth were given training during 2011-12 adding that 950 youth were later given job in various companies. He said that during 2012-13, 7000 youth would be given training at training centres being run by IL&FS, DB Tech, India Can and Cap Foundation across the State.
“Right now 120 youth of Jammu and Kashmir are working in Chandigarh while as 45 youth are discharging their duties in Delhi and Gurgaon. We are looking at foreign destinations like Dubai and Abu Dhabi for providing jobs to the trainees under the Himayat programme. We need to move beyond BPO, retail and hospitality sectors. Youth should be trained in the health-care sector so that they deliver goods in this all important sector as well,” said Ramesh.
In his address, Rural Development Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar said that programmes like Himayat and SKEWPY (Sher-i-Kashmir Employment and Welfare Programme for Youth) have been launched for placement of youth in private sector. Sagar said that State Government is committed to provide skill based training to the unemployed and educated youth of the State.
K Vijaya Kumar, Union Secretary, Rural Development Ministry said that 270 more youth would be given appointment letters after 15 days. Kumar said that 18 districts of the State have been covered under the Himayat project. He said a facilitation centre has been set up at Chandigarh adding that more such centres would come up within the State and outside.
Director EDI, M I Parray in his vote of thanks said that programmes like seed capital fund have been launched for the welfare of the youth. Parray said that state government is also committed towards the welfare of the youth. He expressed gratitude to both the Chief Minister and Union Rural Development Minister for their support in smooth running of the Institute.
Some of the trainees and trainers also shared their views during the programme. The function was also attended by Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs, Abdul Rahim Rather, Minister for Higher Education, Abdul Gani Malik, MoS Rural Development, Aijaz Ahmad Khan and Chief Secretary, Madhav Lal.
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