Job dole still remains on paper

Though the State government had presented its last full budget, it was yet to decide the age and amount to be paid as unemployment allowance to youth, a promise the TDP had made in the run-up to the elections in 2014.

The State, in its budget, had announced a slew of new schemes and reintroduced those that had been discontinued by the previous government in the combined State.

But there was no mention of the unemployment allowance, which was expected to be rolled out this year. However, ₹1,000 crore had been allocated for “youth welfare activities.”

While uploading the draft guidelines of the scheme onto the website, the officials stated that the scheme would be launched on the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, observed as National Youth Day, on January 12, 2018.

The government had even collected data in this regard from various sources, including employment exchanges.

The Group of Ministers (GoM) constituted said the data available with the government was not cohesive.

While the Janmabhoomi data pointed there were 14 lakh unemployed youth, a survey put it at 13 lakh.

The GoM was examining the models adopted by other States.

While the West Bengal government was providing unemployment dole ranging between ₹1,000 and ₹1,500, a few other States were paying ₹200.

Report submitted

When contacted, Youth Welfare Minister K. Ravindra said the committee constituted had submitted its report. The matter would be discussed with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, he said.

“A decision on the age group and allowance amount would be fixed soon,” he said adding, “The government is of the view that it should improve employment opportunities for youth after imparting skill training to them.”