17,000 youths to get govt job in Sikkim this year : Chamling

The Sikkim government will provide employment to 17,000 youths this year under the first phase of the One Family One Job programme, Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling announced on Friday.

Only genuine people should get the benefit and public representatives should submit the youths' names only after thorough scrutiny, he said making the announcement at the state-level Panchayat and Organic Growers Sammelan at Saramsa Garden near here.

Chamling had mooted the welfare scheme on November 14 to ensure financial security of the people of the Himalayan state and had said that the policy decision will come into effect in letter and spirit by December to enable the first lot of beneficiaries to join work from January 2, 2019.

He assured the meeting that all ad-hoc and master roll workers will be regularized in phase-wise manner.

The chief minister said that the government will give priority to ad-hoc teachers in any interview based on their experience and other criteria to the extent it is legally permissible as far as regularization of their jobs are concerned.

Describing agriculture and allied industries as "super industry", he urged the youth to come forward and take advantage of the Start Up Scheme, under which the state government provides 35 per cent financial assistance.

The chief minister announced Rs one crore award annually to the most progressive farmer in the state.

"Vegetable farming can be turned into a lucrative profession because of the high demand for it," he said adding South Korea is keen on importing vegetables, specially cabbages from Sikkim.

The state will be self sufficient in dairy products and perishable vegetables by 2020 and in agriculture and foodgrains by 2025, he said.

Seeking to push ahead the Organic Mission in Sikkim, Chamling said that 28 vehicles have been provided by the government to transport the organic produces from the farmers fields to the nearest market.

He congratulated the farmers, officers and all stakeholders for making Sikkim a pioneer in organic farming which has brought international recognition to the state.