Pulwama, April 16: The Vice Chairperson (V.C) J&K KVIB, Dr. Hina Shafi Bhat Saturday inaugurated Skill Development programme for unemployed youth of Pulwama.

Senior Officers from J&K KVIB, Officers from District Administration, and educated unemployed youth/ aspirant entrepreneurs attended the skill development programme.

Acknowledging the ability of youth in catalysing the growth and development in UT of J&K, the Vice Chairperson reiterated the need for active involvement of line departments/agencies for realising their potential.

She added that UT of J&K is endowed with youth dividend which, if properly channelized, can be a catalyst in eradication of unemployment. She informed that to facilitate creation of employment opportunities for our teeming youth, Central as well as UT governments have introduced various employment generation programmes like Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) and J&K Rural Employment Generation Programme (JKREGP).

Dr Hina divulged that performance of J&K KVIB in implementation of these schemes has been applauded at National Level and stated that over the last three years margin money of Rs. 39038.45 Lacs has been released for establishment of 17266 units thereby creating employment opportunities for 133614 persons in Kashmir Division under JKREGP and PMEGP.

She further added that during the FY 2022-22 itself, against the target for establishment of 2239 units, involving MM 5505.48 lacs, margin money of Rs. 24268.53 lacs has been disbursed for establishment of 10638 units under PMEGP and JKREGP thereby providing employment opportunities to 83318 persons.

She added that for the current financial year, the Board has set the ambitious target of ensuring outreach to remote and far flung areas of UT of JK.

Assistant Commissioner Revenue Pulwama, Aijaz Ahmad encouraged the youth to up-skill their skill levels and explore the possibilities of establishment of their own Micro Enterprises.

Dy. Chief Executive Officer KVIB Kashmir informed that schemes implemented by J&K KVIB viz. JKREGP and PMEGP are online and emphasized upon the prospective entrepreneurs and participants to come forward and avail the financial assistance under these schemes for setting up of their units.

He added that J&K KVIB shall extend hand-holding support to aspirants in processing of their financial assistance cases.