post news network, Bhubaneswar, July 10: A seminar on ‘unemployment problem in Orissa, its causes and solution’ was organised by the Bekaar Mukta Abhiyaan Orissa at the Red Cross Bhawan here Friday.
Several jobless youths from across the state participated in the programme, where they discussed the various problems facing them and what needs to be done to eradicate unemployment.
Attending the event as chief guest, the former Union minister, Braja Kishore Tripathy, said, “More than two lakh youths in the state are unemployed. It is high time that a strong step be taken by the government to generate more employment opportunities for these youths. The problem will be solved when all the unemployed youths come together and fight for their rights.”
Social activist, Sudarshan Parida, in the course of the discussions said, “Youths can play an important role for the development of handloom sector. Instead of waiting for jobs, they can start their own business ventures by turning towards the small scale industry, which in turn will help generate jobs for other youths also.”
According to a research published recently, around 72,169 educated youths had registered their names in the employment exchange by the end of September 2014; out of these youths only a few lucky ones got jobs.
Speaking on the occasion, Manoj Jena, convener of the association, dwelt on the income scenario in the rural areas. “87 per cent of the youths in the rural areas have an income below Rs 5000 and 50 per cent of the rural people are landless. The government has failed to generate enough employment opportunities for these youths. The industrialization drive has also failed to generate adequate jobs. We are planning to start a movement and organise protest rallies; we have got the support of Shilpi Sangha and many other associations,” Jena said.
Apart from the jobless, the programme was attended by people of other profession, including advocates and engineers. After a thorough discussion, all the dignitaries present vowed to make Orissa an unemployment free state.
