The Punjab Government has decided to rope in banks and other financial institutions to provide soft loans to youth for launching their startups.
Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, announcing his government’s decision while addressing a two-day convention and exhibition on Rural Entrepreneurship and Innovation, organised by the Industries Department in collaboration with PHD Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, stressed the need to motivate youth to shift towards self-employment under the government’s startup programme.
Underlining the need for a mindset change among the youth, capt Amarinder urged the PHD Chamber to become a knowledge partner with the government for programmes aimed at inculcating the spirit of entrepreneurship amongst youngsters.
Startups not only facilitate gainful self-employment for individual youth but also help provide jobs to other youngsters, he pointed out.
Referring to the success of his government’s flagship ‘Ghar Ghar Rozgar’ programme, under which over 1.62 lakh jobs had been provided jobs so far, he reiterated his commitment to ensuring ample job opportunities for the unemployed youth of the state.
Pointing to the technological advancements being made the world over, he exhorted the youth to align themselves to new technologies to remain competitive.
Sharing a blueprint for his government’s skill development programme, he said that the initiative was aimed at providing specialised skill training to students to semi-educated youngsters in nearly 200 ITIs across the state so as to enable them to earn their livelihood with dignity.
The state Health and Family Welfare Minister Brahm Mohindra said that his Department would soon organize a job fest to provide jobs in various medical and para-medical fields.