Yuva Nestham scheme not launched for electoral gains: Naidu

Allaying fears of jobless youths in Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said the unemployed graduate allowance scheme -- Mukhyamantri Yuva Nestham -- launched Tuesday will not be discontinued midway like the case in other states and that it has not been rolled out eyeing electoral gains.

Naidu said corruption will not be tolerated when about 20,000 vacant government posts are being filled and that private jobs will also be given to local youths.

Under the Nestham scheme, a monthly allowance of Rs 1,000 will be given to eligible jobless graduates who are below the poverty line (BPL). Further, such youths will be given skill training to increase their employability.

The unemployed youth allowance scheme was one of the poll promises of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in its election manifesto in 2014. The assembly poll is due next year.

"This is not done for electoral gains. This has been done to build your (the youth) career and future. This scheme will not be discontinued in the middle like in other states," Naidu said responding to a query raised by a youth at the launch event here.

The government is facilitating companies to set up units in the state so that jobs are generated for locals, he said adding that companies will recruit those whose skills are upto industry standards.

The Nestham scheme has been designed in such a way that jobless graduates hone their skills as per the needs of the industry and even get training to become entrepreneurs, he added.

IT Minister Nara Lokesh and Law, Sports and Youth Minister Kollu Ravindra were present at the event.

The state government has tied up with 24 companies, like Kia Motors, Branx, Foxconn and Amara Raja, to provide apprenticeship to those registered under the Nestham scheme. Even universities have been roped in for the scheme.

Yuva Nestham is estimated to benefit 12 lakh unemployed graduates. Already, six lakh candidates have registered on the web portal and out of them 2.15 lakh applications had been verified.

Naidu said Rs 1 has been transferred to each account as a test transaction. The remaining Rs 999 will be transferred to the accounts tomorrow.

Educated unemployed youths between the age of 22 to 35 years belonging to BPL category with ration cards are eligible for the scheme.

The chief minister said the scheme has been rolled out after studying various models in other states. It would be implemented successfully with the use of IT even as such programmes have failed due to poor implementation and technology in other states, he added.

When asked about possible corruption in the allotment of government jobs, Naidu said, "We have issued notification to hire about 20,000 people. If there is any corruption, you can dial 1100 and I will definitely take action. My desire is to run a corruption-free government."
Responding to the demand of reservation for local people in private jobs, Naidu said, "Ninety nine per cent of jobs will go to local people. If there are any violation. I will take strict action."