JAMMU: Observing that the Sher-i-Kashmir Employment and Welfare programme for the youth (SKEWPY) is the prestigious initiative of the present Government to address all the issues related to the problem of un-employment in the State, the Minister for Finance & Ladakh Affairs, Mr. Abdul Rahim Rather today asked the Banks to ensure hassle free credit facilities to the entrepreneurs sponsored under the programme.
“Employment generation is the top most priority of the Government and the Banks should shun the conservative mind set towards providing loan facilities to the educated un-employed youth,†Mr. Rather said while chairing the meeting of the Employment Facilitating Agency (EFA) here this afternoon.
The Minister for Higher Education, Labour & Employment, Mr. Abdul Gani Malik was also present.
The meeting was also attended by the Economic Advisor to the Government, Mr. Jalil Ahmad Khan, Chief Secretary, Mr. Madhav Lal, Principal Secretary, Finance, Mr. M.I.Khanday, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Mr. B.B.Viyas, Commissioner/Secretary, Labour and Employment, Mr. Yad-ullah, other Administrative Secretaries of various departments and Director, J&K Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI), Mr. M.I. Parray.
Mr. Rather said that Seed Capital Fund Scheme (SCF) being the model employment scheme, the J&K Bank should provide hassle free lending facility to the entrepreneurs as per the MOU signed by the Government with it adding that Banks should in no way insist on collateral security for advancing loans to the cases sponsored under SCF Scheme as per the guidelines of RBI. He said a special State level Bankers committee (SLBC) meeting shall be convened to remove bottle necks in the way of smooth and effective implementation of the SKEWPY. While directing the Technical Education department to prepare blue print for skill development in the State, the Minister called for creating a data base about employment generation opportunities in various potential sectors of economy like tourism, horticulture services so that these are brought under the purview of the SKEWPY.
He also underscrod the need for creating synergy among various skill development institutions and synchronize their efforts in the light of skill mapping of the Sate. Mr. Rather asked the JKEDI to re-energize its men and machinery and expand its out reach by starting activities at the district level to come in close touch with the first generation entrepreneurs. He asked the Institute to sponsor cases to the Banks as per the fixed targets. He directed for making website for the SKEWPY more interactive for convenience of the youth.
He asked the EDI to explore all possibilities for entering into partnership with various Universities, Educational Institutions and NGOs to identify and motivate more educated un-employed youth towards SKEWPY to enable them to get dignified livelihood not only for themselves but for others also.
Mr. Rather also urged for launching a massive and vigorous awareness campaign in nook and corner of the State about the benefits of the SKEWPY adding that Employment and Counseling Centers (E&CCS) need to be made fully internet linked at the earliest. He also directed expediting the construction of E&CCS for which land and required funds have already been earmarked by the Government. The meeting also discussed launching of a pilot initiative to fundamentally support the entrepreneurs in an off-bank mode akin to the scheme being run by the National Minorities Development Finance Corporation (NMDFC). The pilot could be implemented jointly by JKEDI and Mercy Corps (Pvt. NGO), with a target of 200 cases- 100 each in Jammu and Kashmir divisions within the time frame of two months.
The meeting was informed that under the Seed Capital Fund Scheme (SCF) so far 1442 DPRs (covering 1525 entrepreneurs) have been sent to J&K Bank, out of which the Steering Committee has approved 902 DPRs (covering 951) entrepreneurs) involving total project cost of Rs. 97.40 crores comprising Rs. 60.23 crores as loan and Rs. 30.31 crore as seed capital.(KMW News)
