Focus on youth, to keep them off Maoist influence: Official

HAZARIBAGH ( JHARKHAND): Aiming to keep the youth away from Maoist influence in the worst affected villages of Hazaribagh district, Rs 5.83 crore was released under a Centrally-sponsored programme for their skill training, a senior official said here today.

Rs 5.33 crore was released for construction of a centre for ITI training along with hostel, equipment and machinery facilities while Rs 50 lakh was released for setting up two skill development centres, Deputy Commissioner Manish Ranjan said.

Funds were released under the "Swarna Jayanti Swarojgar Yojana," he said adding Sarwaha, Pakri Barwadih and Bara villages were selected for construction of the centres.

"Both long term and short term trainings will be provided to the rural youth by experts to prepare them for employment and self-employment," he said adding a total of 120 persons would be trained.