New schemes named after PM

The Government has also decided to give awards to Gujarati jawans/officials, and agro-scientists and researchers for outstanding contributions.

After the Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel told reporters that the Government would provide 30 per cent subsidy to each of the 75,000 unemployed urban youth in the age group of 18-40, while the remaining aid would be provided asloan by people’s co-operative banks.

Self-employment for the beneficiaries would be provided, particularly in the Service Sector, keeping in mind their educational qualfications and vocational aptitude. If necessary, those selected for the loan would be trained in the trade of their choice, Patel said.

He said that the Government had also decided to fix the investment ceiling of Rs 1 lakh under the bankable scheme of the State Cottage Industries Department.

P K Laheri, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, said that about 9.58 lakh unemployed youths were registered with the Employment Exchanges, with 60 per cent having educational qualification up to SSC. Laheri said the total job potential was estimated at 33 to 35 lakh in the Organised, Unorganised and Service Sectors. The Government would have to entail an additional burden of about Rs 120 crore by way of subsidy, to be given to unemployed youths under the Self-Employment Scheme, while a burden of Rs 110 crore was estimated as financialassistance to be extended to the 143 municipalities.