Chouhan Announces More Doles to Woo People

Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that in just two months over 2.5 lakh persons have got job opportunities in the state, and the aim is to give employment to 7.50 lakh youths. Very soon, recruitment for teachers, policemen, doctors, naib tehsildars, patwaris and anganwadi workers will be made, he had said. Pointing out that girls are being given reservation in jobs, he said the government has created adequate opportunities for self-employment as well. A report for Different Truths.

Ignoring criticism and in gross violation of government rules and procedures, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan continues to announce sops to win the support of the electorate in the forthcoming Vidhan Sabha elections. Just the other day he handed over thousands of letters of intent of job to young people at a programme held in his constituency. Similar programmes were held all over the state in which letters of intent were given to prospective beneficiaries.

Letters of Intent of jobs were handed out to 1.25 lakh beneficiaries in all 51 districts on 4th August. According to MP Rajya Rozgar Nirman Board Chairman Hemant Vijayrao Deshmukh, in all 2.84 lakh people have got benefits of jobs and self-employment across the state, and 60,000 cheques have been disbursed for self-employment. In Bhopal 4,500 people got LoIs.

In Budhni, the CM stated that the state government was committed to eradicate poverty. It has already removed the blot of “Bimaru” from MP. He claimed that Madhya Pradesh has now become a developed state. Chouhan handed out loan approvals and LoIs to 2,150 youths and also distributed benefits of other schemes, including Ujjwala Yojana, to about 13,600 beneficiaries.

Chouhan said that in just two months over 2.5 lakh persons have got job opportunities in the state, and the aim is to give employment to 7.50 lakh youths. “Very soon, recruitment for teachers, policemen, doctors, naib tehsildars, patwaris and anganwadi workers will be made,” he said. Pointing out that girls are being given reservation in jobs, he said the government has created adequate opportunities for self-employment as well.

Government sources said 60,000 beneficiaries will be given papers for bank loans while 1 lakh will get benefits under PM Mudra Scheme for self-employment. “In all, about 2.84 lakh people will get benefits of employment and self-employment in Rozgar Panchayat 2018, an official said.

According to officials, the beneficiaries cover a wide range – from those who have studied up to class 5 or 6 to ITI diploma holders and polytechnic and engineering graduates. The pay packages vary from Rs. 8,000 to Rs. 20,000 a month. The jobs are in both manufacturing and service sectors but these days there is more requirement in service sector, they said.

The beneficiaries were selected through 156 employment fairs. The private companies that took part in these job melas include Suzuki, Motors Gujarat, Omex Auto Ltd, Bengaluru, Jubilant Footwerar, Trident Group, Budhni and Lupin Pharma, said the officials, adding that letters of intents have been given by companies in the field of tourism, hospitality, textiles, management and beauty and wellness.

Besides job fairs campus interviews were held at government and private engineering colleges. The Rozgar Nirman Board chairman said that every district in MP “has its own USP” and companies and candidates were selected accordingly.

The chief minister also announced several other schemes which will benefit various sections of society including kisans. These schemes were announced in various Vidhan Sabha constituencies of Mandsaur district, which was the scene of violent kisan agitations. Surprisingly, Chouhan was accorded a warm welcome by the people during his visit to the district. Addressing a public meeting, Chouhan announced a minimum support price of Rs. 800 and Rs. 400 per quintal of garlic and onion respectively under the Mukhya Mantri Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana and payment will start from August 31 onwards. Chouhan asked farmers not to worry anymore as the state government stands by them and their families.

Though he is getting bouquets, he is also getting brickbats. Criticising the largesse and bribes being announced by the chief minister, state Congress president has called him “madari”. He claimed the state was at the top of the list in terms of suicide by unemployed youths. Describing job fairs as an attempt to delude the youth, Kamal Nath said the state government, which had promised to provide jobs to two lakh youth every year, did little in this regard. Now, with only four months left for the assembly elections, it as organising job fairs to delude the youth and hide its failure. Nath said not long ago the chief minister had himself exhorted youth not to rely on government jobs and focus on self employment.

“Failing on his promise the CM is now resorting to another gimmick in the name of job fairs. Unemployment in MP has acquired menacing proportions and unemployed youths are committing suicide in large numbers. According to figures, the BJP government, in the last 14 years, has provided jobs to only 17,600 persons” he said.