Give jobs to Kashmiris: Government to India Inc.
January 14th, 2011 - 5:17 pm ICT by IANS
Delhi, Jan 14 (IANS) The central government has sought the help of India Inc. to curb unemployment in Jammu and Kashmir, a terror-riven state where some 500,000 men and women who are without jobs are often targeted for recruitment by militant outfits.”Unemployment is a major issue (in Jammu and Kashmir) and the government is seriously considering how to tackle it,” Home Secretary G.K. Pillai said at a seminar on Kashmir organized by the Jamia Millia Islamia University here.
He said the private sector can absorb 100,000 Kashmiri youth who can work as paid interns and hone their skills.
“We are asking the Indian corporates to take Kashmiris and give them jobs. The private sector can absorb 100,000 Kashmiri youth,” he said, announcing a slew of confidence building measures to boost the government’s peace process after months of violent protests last year.
He said an expert group constituted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to formulate a job plan for the state is likely to submit its report very soon.
The panel, headed by former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor C.Rangarajan, was to submit it within three months of its Aug 10 formation last year. The group was formed to do away with the disillusionment of the youth in the state, which is facing a separatist campaign since 1989.
Pillai said the government didn’t expect any big industrial unit to invest in Kashmir, which was disadvantaged by its climate and location.
“But the USP of Kashmir can be information technology, agriculture, horticulture, tourism and adventure sports. The government is looking to develop these sectors which can be biggest providers of employment in the state,” he said.
According to official figures, the state has some 500,000 unemployed youth.
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- India announces 25 percent troop reduction in Kashmir; Army demurs (Second Intro Roundup) - Jan 14, 2011
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- Government to provide up to 100,000 jobs in Kashmir: PM - Feb 24, 2011
- PM forms expert group on jobs in Kashmir - Aug 10, 2010
- Over 1,000 Kashmiri youths offered jobs - Dec 17, 2011
- Look beyond Kashmir for jobs, Chidambaram tells Kashmiris - Mar 18, 2010
Tags: bank of india, c rangarajan, confidence building, expert group, india inc, indian corporates, jamia millia islamia university, jammu and kashmir, manmohan singh, militant outfits, peace process, pillai, prime minister manmohan, prime minister manmohan singh, rbi governor, reserve bank of india, separatist campaign, technology agriculture, unemployed youth, violent protests