Berhampur: To curb distress migration, the Kandhamal administration on Saturday distributed financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh each to 85 unemployed youths under Mukhya Mantri Janajati Jeevika Mission (MMJJM), a state govt flagship programme.
The grants were distributed by Kandhamal MP Sukant Panigrahy at a meeting organised by Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), Baliguda.
"This initiative will enable these youth to start businesses in their localities without having to seek employment in other states," said district collector Amrit Ruturaj.
ITDA's project administrator, Baliguda, Krupasindhu Behera, said that most beneficiaries were previously migrant labourers.
The beneficiaries, hailing from nine blocks under ITDA Baliguda, will venture into diverse micro-entrepreneurial activities including leaf and paper plate manufacturing, tailoring, rice and oil mills, carpentry, computer centre, fast food outlet, retail shops, beauty parlour and puffed rice production.
Beyond financial support, the beneficiaries have received training in customer service, hospitality and basic accounting to enhance their entrepreneurial skills.
Chandrika Mallic from Madaguda in Maoist-affected Kotagarh block, who previously worked at a garment unit in Tamil Nadu, plans to establish a tailoring unit in her village. Another beneficiary, Ajay Kumar Majhi from Madapadar in Tumudibandh block, will invest in carpentry equipment to start his business.
"MMJJM aims to prevent distress migration by promoting micro-entrepreneurship in rural and migration-prone areas," Behera said.