Employment policy-2007 in offing JK to meet the challenge

Srinagar, Aug 12 (UNI) The Jammu and Kashmir government is initiating a multi-pronged strategy for employment generation to confront the mounting challenge of unemployment in the state.

The newly devised policy framework on employment generation christened ''Employment Policy-2007'' would be presented by the Finance Minister Tariq Hameed Karra in the upcoming session of the state legislature.

The employment policy based on three key components of the strategy included shifting the focus of the 11th Five year plan from output generation to employment creation, pursuing a strict policy on import substitution and localization of the production and distribution systems.

As was announced by Mr Karra in his 2007-08 budget speech, the state government is constituting a High Powered Employment Mission (HPEM) to be headed by the Chief Minister.

it shall have finance minister, planning minister, industries Minister, three Legislators and a set of professionals, corporate bankers and NGOs as its members. While HPEM will determine the mission policies and lay down the general directions.

There will also be an executive body of the mission headed by the chief secretary to oversee the execution and give monthly reports to HPEM.

The main objectives of HPEM shall be generation of adequate employment opportunities through a policy framework, initiate bold steps for infrastructure development, to act as catalyst in opening of marketing opportunities for commodities and goods produced in the state, to mount special drive for creation of employment opportunities in agriculture, horticulture, small scale industries, handicraft and IT sectors, to facilitate entrepreneurial training and formulate area and trade-specific strategies for maximizing employment opportunities.

The employment policy-2007 proposes policy interventions like streamlining of market intervention scheme, model law on contract farming strengthening of regional and rural banks and devising new and innovative self employment programs.

In addition, as per the new policy, the State government has decided to set off major initiatives for creation of self and wage employment opportunities during 2007-20089.

These will be in the form of quick-yielding-projects with innovative financing,. The development departments are being incentivized and encouraged to explore the scope for innovative self-employment projects under various sectors.

UNI