Srinagar: Union minister for rural development Jairam Ramesh said here that during the past 5 years under the ‘Umeed’ Programme, more than 9 lakh women have associated with 90 thousand ‘self help’ groups. He said that this programme has been started in Kashmir Division’s 4 blocks i.e. Laar and Khan Saheb and J&K region’s Basauli and Chenani. He further said that under ‘Himayat’ programme 15000 youth of Jammu & Kashmir will be given training during the current year after which they will take up jobs in private companies. He said that so far 5200 youth have already been employed under this programme, adding that under this (Himayet) programme, more than 900 trained youth are working in different companies in other states. He said that under the Himayet programme efforts are being made to opportunities of employment maximise for young and trained workers of this state and at the same time attention is also being paid to find more and more opportunities for these youth in the job market outside J&K.

He said that under Himayat programme, for local i.e. J&K youth working outside the state, living allowance i.e. rent etc till date was Rs 1000 for two months. It has now been increased to Rs 2000. He said that this allowance will continue to be given to every employee for six months. He further said that every youth who has been given training under Himayat programme and works in any private company will be given a computer tablet after completing a year in these firms. He also said that the current year is very important for the success of Himayat programme because under this programme the target is to impart training and provide jobs to 15 thousand youth this year which must be achieved and for this, the cooperation of all concerned is needed.