Jammu and Kashmir government working towards eradicating unemployment: minister

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir government is making all efforts to arrive at a solution to address the problem of unemployment in the state, Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs AR Rather has said.

"There are about 6.50 lakh unemployed youth registered with various Employment and Counselling centres. The government is working overtime to explore a comprehensive solution so that maximum number of youth are provided jobs in both public and private sectors," Rather said while addressing a public meeting in Budgam district on Friday.

He said the government was fully aware of the situation and "we want to remove gloom and despair from their (unemployed youth) faces."

"All the available employment opportunities are being pooled to launch a comprehensive employment drive in the state. The employment drive under the proposed plan shall be on fast-track basis," he said.

Rather said after a long phase of turmoil, the state is now on the threshold of socio-economic revolution.

"Nobody will be allowed to derail the process of massive development and progress set into motion by the present coalition government led by Omar Abdullah," he said.

"Politics should not be done at the cost of this development," he also said.

Reiterating the government's resolve to provide all basic facilities to the people, the minister said "no stone shall be left unturned in this regard."

He said the people of the state have pinned high hopes with the present government and all the possible resources are being pooled to come upto their expectations.