Jammu and Kashmir to implement employment policy from April 2010

Jammu and Kashmir today said it will implement its employment policy from April next, under which government jobs would be provided to one lakh unemployed educated youth in a phased manner in five years.
    
"The historic employment policy will be implemented in the state from April 2010. Rs300 to Rs400 crore are annually required for the stipend to be provided under the package," finance minister AR Rather said at a function here.
    
Nearly five lakh unemployed youth have registered themselves in employment counselling centres across the state.
    
Rather said besides government jobs to one lakh unemployed educated youth, loans on easy installments would be arranged for others so that they could set up their own income generating units.
    
He said educated youth would be properly guided and imparted training for seeking jobs and an overseas employment corporation has been established for the purpose.
    
Under the employment policy announced on December 5, jobless youth will get monthly stipend between Rs500 to Rs1,100. Besides, sustainable income generating avenues would be created in various sectors.
    
The policy, however, drew criticism from almost all political parties which termed it as "inadequate" and a "big disappointment".