Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Apr 6: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today reiterated his Government’s vow to work in unison with the Union Government and the Governments of various States of the country to ensure palatable and conducive environment for Jammu and Kashmir students, traders and employees outside the State and help them pursue their education, trade and service goals smoothly.
“I have already underlined this necessity while talking to the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister and Chief Ministers of all the States”, he said elaborating that the State Government would be in continuous touch with other States in this regard besides keeping liaison with citizens of Jammu and Kashmir working outside the State.
“I have also emphasized the need for changing the mindset about Kashmiri youth prevailing in some people outside the State”, he said maintaining that Kashmiri’s need not to be viewed with suspicion. “They are working outside the State to earn respectable livelihood, pursue educational goals and conduct trade and business”, he added.
Speaking at a function of handing over the placement letters to the trainees who have completed training under Himayat Programme at JKEDI premises near hear, the Chief Minister asked the boys and girls to grab the opportunity of getting gainful employment in private companies under Himayat and Udaan Programmes.
Advising youth of Jammu and Kashmir to shun inhibitions of working outside the State, the Chief Minister said that there is vast field available in the country for them to earn their livelihood and prove their talent and mettle. He said minor incidents of scuffle between Kashmiris and outsiders during day to day life process outside the State should not be given different colour and blown out of the proposition.
Omar Abdullah said that Himayat and Udaan introduced in Jammu and Kashmir aim at ensuring employment of youth of the State in various companies within and outside the State besides providing them necessary training and skill upgradation.
The Chief Minister said that the answer to unemployment crisis is not in offering Government service to youth because there are not so much vacancies and avenues in Government Departments to absorb all the unemployed educated youth whose number is over four lakh at present.
“There is already heavy pressure on State’s exchequer. We have total annual income of Rs. 6500 crore by all means and on providing salaries alone to Government employees we have to incur Rs. 13500 crore annually. This can give the financial health status of the State”, he said, adding that wherever possible Government would continue to create jobs for youth in the Government sector.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister for Rural Development, Jairam Ramesh said that more than 9 lakh women of Jammu and Kashmir are being organized in 90,000 Mahila Shayita Sumoh (Women Self Help Groups) during the next five years under Umeed Programme launched in the State in four blocks of Lar, Khanshahib, Basholi and Chenani.
The Union Minister said that during the current year 15,000 youth of Jammu and Kashmir would be imparted training and provided employment in private companies under Himayat while 5,200 youth have been so far provided jobs under the programme.
Jairam Ramesh said that the relocation allowance for youth working in companies outside the State under Himayat has been enhanced from Rs. 1000 for two months to Rs. 2000 for six months each employee. He said this would be further examined. He also said that every youth completing one year service in private company under Himayat would be given Computer Tablet.
Minister for Rural Development, Ali Mohammad Sagar in his speech highlighted the endeavours of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in expanding job orbit for youth of Jammu and Kashmir both in the Government and the private sectors.
Various trainees were handed over job letters on the occasion while many presently working in different companies shared their views and experience with the audience and fellow Himayat trainees.
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