NVI Correspondent
Jammu, Dec 06(NVI) : In a bid to foster a culture of entrepreneurship and self-employment among the youth of Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo chaired a comprehensive meeting today to assess the progress of an upcoming baseline survey. The initiative aims to identify 1.37 lakh potential entrepreneurs across the region.
An official statement to NVI reads that this survey, a collaborative effort between the Labour & Employment (L&E) and Planning Departments, will begin in January 2024 and is a key component of the Mission YUVA (Yuva Udyami Vikas Abhiyan) program designed to empower youth with entrepreneurial skills and opportunities.
The meeting was attended by a wide array of stakeholders, including the Secretary of L&E, Secretary of Planning and Development, Principal Secretary of School Education, and other senior government officials from various departments. Also present were representatives from institutions like IIM Jammu, NABARD, JK Bank, and BISAG-N, who are involved in the implementation of the initiative.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary was briefed on the plans for the survey, which will be conducted by around 20,000 investigators designated by the Planning Department. These investigators will collect data from across the region, aiming to understand the aspirations of J&K’s youth regarding self-employment and the challenges they face in pursuing entrepreneurial ventures. The survey will also assess existing enterprises to identify the challenges they encounter in their growth.
Empowering Youth Through Data-Driven Insights
Dulloo stressed that the purpose of this survey is not only to identify aspiring entrepreneurs but also to understand the barriers that hinder their entrepreneurial ambitions. By capturing real-time data through a specially developed online application by BISAG-N, the survey will provide valuable insights that will help shape future policies and provide targeted support for entrepreneurs.
“The survey aims to understand the entrepreneurial aspirations of J&K’s youth, particularly in the age group of 18-49 years. The data collected will help us design programs that support aspiring entrepreneurs and address their challenges effectively,” Dulloo remarked during the meeting.
He also encouraged university and college students to actively participate in the survey to ensure it reflects the true aspirations of the youth. “This is a meaningful exercise that will allow us to better understand the needs of our youth and create a supportive ecosystem for them,” Dulloo added.
Mission YUVA: A Pathway to Empowerment
The Mission YUVA program, which forms the foundation of this survey, aims to create 1.37 lakh new enterprises in the region within the next five years, generating around 4.25 lakh job opportunities. This ambitious initiative will focus on providing financial support, skill training, and a nurturing ecosystem for aspiring entrepreneurs.
As part of the broader effort, a “Youth Skill & Entrepreneurship App” has been developed to serve as a one-stop platform for young people interested in entrepreneurship. This app will offer services ranging from career counseling and skill development to access to financial resources, including loans and subsidies. It will also provide a platform for youth to apply for credit from financial institutions and assist them in accessing soft skills and online/offline skill courses.
The app will also integrate job alerts, CV generation tools, and a marketplace for businesses to connect with customers globally, enhancing both local and international business linkages. The app will work in tandem with various business help desks, incubation centers, and innovation hubs set up across the region, including at IIM Jammu.
Training and Awareness for a Seamless Rollout
In preparation for the survey’s rollout, the meeting also discussed the training of field staff. A group of master trainers will be selected from each district, who will then undergo training in both Srinagar and Jammu. These trainers will, in turn, train the survey investigators, ensuring the accurate collection of data in towns and villages across the Union Territory.
Satveer Kour, the Director General of Employment and Skills (E&S), explained that the survey would be conducted in two major phases: a preliminary period for training and preparation, followed by the enumeration of the youth and existing businesses. This initiative aims to create a deep understanding of the entrepreneurial landscape in J&K and pave the way for targeted interventions by the government.
A Vision for the Future
The Chief Secretary emphasized the importance of data collection for developing effective policies and programs. He urged the concerned officers to ensure maximum outreach, ensuring the survey reaches every corner of the UT. “We must ensure that this survey not only identifies potential entrepreneurs but also gathers enough data to design relevant support mechanisms,” Dulloo concluded.
With the goal of fostering an entrepreneurial culture and creating a thriving ecosystem, this initiative marks a significant step toward addressing unemployment in J&K and providing youth with the tools and resources they need to build successful enterprises.
This survey and the subsequent creation of enterprises under Mission YUVA hold the promise of not only reducing unemployment but also stimulating innovation and economic growth across Jammu and Kashmir.(News Vibes of India)
