Training, job schemes launched in Maoist areas

The central government Friday launched a special programme providing job opportunities to youths in 24 districts across the country which have been affected by Maoist violence.

Roshni, a placement-linked skill development scheme targeting 50,000 tribals, was launched by Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh here.

"At least 50 percent of the candidates covered under the scheme will be women," Ramesh told reporters.

The programme entails providing beneficiaries aged between 18-35 years with requisite training depending upon the trade or job requirements.

The launch of the programme comes close on the heels of the brutal Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh's Bastar district in which almost the entire state Congress leadership was killed.

The training will be imparted through public-private and public-public partnerships. Four training models with duration ranging from three months to one year shall be taken up to meet the diverse needs of youth depending on their entry-level qualifications.

Placement-linked, market driven fully residential skill training will be provided in fields like tailoring, construction, mobile repairing, nursing and retail.

The projects shall be funded jointly by the central and state governments in the ratio of 75:25.

Ramesh said the employment programme will be on the lines of 'Himayat' being run in Jammu and Kashmir and two pilot projects being run in Jharkhand's west Singhbhum and Chhattisgarh's Sukma districts.

"The programme has been running in both the districts without any hiccups," he said.

"The training providers will ensure 75 per cent placement defined as continuous employment for three months at higher than minimum wages. Placements will be provided anywhere in India," the rural development minister said.

Different training strategies will be used for diverse groups of youths, ranging from school drop outs (below 8th standard to below 10th standard) to those with college education.