The Andaman and Nicobar islands administration was taking "every possible step" to reduce unemployment for which long term and short term measures were being planned, official sources said.
Chief Secretary Anand Prakash told a press conference here yesterday, "The administration is fully conscious of the issues and will take all possible steps to address the grievances and to assuage the sentiments of the general public, especially, the unemployed youths."
In the recent past, he said, the unemployed youth of the islands had made representations to the administration for providing them adequate job opportunities and giving them a preference in government jobs by making residence criteria essential for public employment.
The Chief Secretary said he held consultative meeting with representatives of political parties and NGOs on Monday and had also briefed the Lt. Governor about the outcome of the meeting.
In the past, he said, the administration had proposed a regulation to prescribe residence criteria for public employment, but the Ministry of Home Affairs did not approve it.
Considering the socio-economic condition of the islanders and the remoteness of the area, the matter would again be taken up with the central government, he said.
As a long term solution for the problem, a proposal will be sent to the central government to bring the requisite legislation in Parliament, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.
