In the run to lure the voters by offering ‘monetary’ benefits, Congress on Sunday unveiled the ‘Yuva Udaan Yojana,’ a scheme promising a highest ever monthly allowance of Rs 8,500 to educated but unemployed youth for one year if they come to power in the national Capital.
The move, designed to address the growing issue of unemployment among educated youth, comes as a big announcement with Congress likely being the first political party in the country to offer such substantial financial support as part of their employment strategy.
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi is also making his first appearance for campaigning for the party at Seelampur on Monday, ending speculations that there is a rift between the national and state leadership. He will address a ‘Jai Bhim-Jai Samvidhan’ public meeting in East Delhi.
Congress is vying to come back to power since 2013 when AAP rose to power. This is the third scheme launched by the party ahead of the Delhi Assembly polls. AICC general secretary and former Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan Sachin Pilot, at a press conference, said, “It is the government’s responsibility to support our young and educated friends living in Delhi. If the youth gets discouraged, then it is not a good thing for the country. Therefore, we have decided that after the formation of Congress government in Delhi, educated and unemployed youth will be given one year apprenticeship and financial assistance of Rs 8,500.”
“We will provide financial assistance to youths who can show their skills in a company, factory or organisation. They will get money through these companies. This is not a scheme under which one will get money while sitting at home,” Pilot said.
He said that this help will not be just financial. Instead, he added that they will try that people are absorbed in those fields where they have received training so that they can improve their skill set. Terming the politics in Delhi as one of ‘allegations and counter-allegations’, the senior Congress leader said, “Creating employment should be the first priority of any government, but both the central and state governments ignored the unemployed. Congress has always worked for the people. The Congress government did excellent work in the field of IT, in which I myself was a minister.”
“Today politics in Delhi is just about allegations and counter-allegations, but now people want a better alternative. We hope that in the coming elections, people will choose the Congress party and form the government,” he said.
“Yes, this is a guarantee that if there is a person who is not able to be absorbed in any factory or company, then we are ready to bear. This is an encouragement for one year so that they can stand on their feet,” Pilot said.
During the press conference, AICC Delhi in-charge Qazi Nizamuddin, Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav and NSUI, Congress’ student wing, President Varun Chaudhary were also present.
Congress’ Badli candidate Yadav said, “We have very thoughtfully introduced the ‘Yuva Udaan Yojana’. This scheme is for those educated youth who are facing unemployment because drug addiction is a big problem in Delhi today. We want to give direction to the youth through Yuva Udaan Yojana. Under this scheme, registered educated unemployed youth will get Rs 8,500 every month. Our government will try to ensure skill development of the youth so that they can get employment as per their skills.”
The leaders also launched the poster of the scheme during the press conference. “I have full confidence that on February 5, people will give the Congress a chance to serve in the national capital with a good majority,” Pilot added.
On January 6, the Congress announced the ‘Pyaari Didi Yojana’, promising a monthly financial assistance of Rs 2,500 for women if it is voted to power. On January 8, the party announced the ‘Jeevan Raksha Yojana’, under which it promised to provide free health insurance of up to Rs 25 lakh.
Polling for the 70-member Delhi Assembly will be held on February 5 and votes will be counted on February 8.
