Govt according priority to economic empowerment of youth

Hyderabad, Nov 5 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Finance Minister K Rosaiah today said the Congress Government had accorded highest priority to economic empowerment of youth by initiating a number of programmes since 2004-05.

Addressing a press conference here, he said departments such as Rural Development, Urban Development, Youth Welfare and Employment and Training had provided an impetus to the economic empowerment of youth in rural and urban areas.

Giving the details of employment for youth, he said in all, 11.32 lakh youth were recruited in government, corporation and universities in the State.

The Minister said under the Rajiv Udyogasree Programme, five lakh unemployed youth were given skill development training in various employable skills for placements in various jobs in the private sector.

Stating that concerted efforts have been made in identifying the employable skills and providing intensive training inputs to the youth, he said the government was currently providing about Rs 400 crore budgetary support to this initiative and the government's endeavour was to realize the target of one million jobs to the youth by 2010.

He said the government had provided loans worth Rs 4000 crore under ""Pavala Vaddi Scheme'' to about 25 lakh youth in the urban and rural areas under Indira Kranthi Patham.

Ridiculing the promises of opposition Telugu Desam Party President N Chandrababu that his party would protect the interests of the youth, he said the TDP, during its nine-year rule, had not given any importance to the youth.

He alleged Mr Naidu was making statements to come back to power, which was very difficult for him despite his ''unimaginable'' promises to all sections of the people.

UNI BR VA GM PAG1825