New Delhi: The Centre is planning to extend "Udaan", a special scheme launched to help youths from Jammu and Kashmir to get jobs in top companies, to smaller towns in the state as not too many from the two main cities are willing to take up offers due to low entry-level pay.
As part of a new policy, to be launched after the forthcoming Assembly elections, companies will be encouraged to go beyond Jammu and Srinagar cities and even remote locations in the state to organise employment camps and hire locals.
The fresh attempt will be initiated after a study has shown that youths from Jammu and Srinagar are averse to taking up corporate jobs in metros as the initial remuneration is just Rs 20,000-Rs 25,000 per month.
"Youths living in cities like Srinagar and Jammu are not keen to leave the state for Rs 20,000 or Rs 25,000 as there are avenues where they can earn that much by staying at home. But the situation may not be the same for someone living in Anantnag or Baramulla or a small village," a Home Ministry official said.
Based on the recommendations of the Expert Group constituted by the Prime Minister under the Chairmanship of C Rangarajan, the Centre launched the scheme Special Industry Initiative for Jammu and Kashmir "Udaan" in 2013 in the nature of partnership between the corporates and Ministry of Home Affairs.
The scheme is being implemented by National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). The programme aims at providing the skill and enhancing the employability of 40,000 unemployed youths of the state who are graduates.
According to the scheme, the identified companies will screen and select students from the state. The duration, place and nature of training will be decided by the company after considering the profile of the candidates and their skill gap.
After completion of the training, the company will take necessary measures for placement of the trainees in association with NSDC.
