The unemployment scenario in Uttarakhand has turned from bad to worse.The latest government figures reveals there are now 6.66 lakh youths who have registered themselves with the unemployment exchange till March 31, 2012 against the last year’s figure of 5.65 lakh. The actual figure could be much higher since a large number of youths have already left the state in search of jobs, said a top government official.
The big worry before the government is that most of the unemployed youths are educated but are not skilled. The government is finding it increasingly difficult to create employment opportunities in the wake of the slowdown in the growth-oriented sectors like industries, tourism and power. Out of the total 6.66 lakh unemployed youths, there are only 89,588 skilled youths. Even for the skilled youths, there are hardly any opportunities outside the government sector. “In view of the recent slowdown, the manufacturing industries have refused to absorb local youths,” said an industrialist.
Though the government has promised doles of Rs 500-1,000 to the unemployed youths, experts are of the view that such allowance is just a pittance in the face of rising prices of essential commodities.
“For the Uttarakhand government, the rising unemployment has become a big bane in the wake of the recent slowdown in various sectors, especially in the manufacturing industry” said an official
In its election manifesto, the ruling Congress party had promised to give unemployment allowance of Rs 750-1,500 depending upon the person's qualification. However, the state cabinet last week reduced these allowances into three categories -- Rs 500 to intermediates, Rs 750 to graduates and Rs 1,000 to post-graduates.
“This was done mainly due to the financial crunch faced by the government,” said the official.
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In order to further bring down the number of beneficiaries, the government has also determined the criteria for availing the unemployment allowance under which youths must have completed 4 years of registration with the unemployment exchange with effect from November 9, 2012, and their family income should be less than Rs 1 lakh per annum. “This means that there will be hardly any youths who will finally get such doles,” said the official.
Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna had admitted that the state was “financially sick” due to the rising non-plan expenditure and various other factors.