New job programme for youth

VISAKHAPATNAM: Chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy launched Rajiv Yuva Kiranalu, an employment scheme for the youth, at a function held at the Port Stadium here on Saturday to coincide with former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi’s 67th birth anniversary.Addressing the gathering, the chief minister said the scheme, part of Rajiv Education and Employment Mission, aimed to provide 15 lakh jobs to youth in the private sector and one lakh government jobs in the next three years. Besides, skill training and placements will be provided.“The government’s endeavour is to create more employment opportunities by pursuing a growth path that balances the GDP growth with the growth in employment. The new scheme will help the youth  improve their employability by scaling up their knowledge, skills and aptitude. The labour market demand is shifting towards ‘skilled’ and ‘highly skilled’ categories whereas most of the youth are unskilled,’’ Reddy said, adding that because of Rajiv Gandhi’s vision the fruits of science and technology were gradually reaching the common man.  Roads and buildings minister Dharmana Prasad Rao said farmers were increasingly finding agriculture not profitable in spite of governmental support and were migrating to cities in search of employment. “With their limited resources many public sector undertakings are unable to expand and generate employment to meet the growing needs, and the unemployed youth are thus more dependent on the private sector. But, of late, locals have been opposing establishment of industries by private entrepreneurs. Thus, rural youth still struggle to get employment,’’ the minister pointed out.Minister for tribal welfare P Balaraju said RYK was being launched in all districts to utilise expanding opportunities offered by the growing economy. The CII estimated a potential of 8 million new jobs by 2015 in various sectors, he said.Andhra University signed an MoU with Vizag Information Technology Association for live projects and research in software.