The government, which promised unemployment allowance ranging from Rs 750-1,500 depending upon the person's qualification, is concerned with a steep rise of nearly one lakh unemployment youths compared to the last year's figure of 5.65 lakh, sources said.
In an apparent attempt to manage the situation, the government last week decided to divide the allowances into three categories - Rs 500 to intermediates, Rs 750 to graduates and Rs 1,000 to post-graduates.
In order to further restrict the number of beneficiaries, it also determined the criteria for availing the unemployment allowance under which youths must be in the 25-35 year age group and should have completed four years of registration with the unemployment exchange and their family income should not cross Rs one lakh per annum.
The move has received flack from the opposition BJP, which alleged discrimination and demanded allowance for all jobless youths, including the matriculates and those studied till 8th standard.
"The government is discriminating with less literate youths. This is very unfortunate," Leader of the Opposition Ajay Bhatt said.
Meanwhile, the government issued a statement, saying it would soon frame rules and guidelines for such doles.
In such a scenario, jobless youths may have to wait for some more time till the rules are framed, sources said.