Dehradun, May 20: Stressing on a policy of 'rightsizing' the administration, Uttaranchal Chief Minister N D Tiwari today ruled out the possibility of creating new government jobs for the unemployed youth in the state. He, however, asserted that his government would try to create employment opportunities through other means like industries and banking sector to tackle unemployment in the state in the face of mounting budgetary deficit of Rs 1700 crore and a debt of Rs 3500 crore.

"In today's time, no policy can be adopted by the government for giving jobs to unemployed youth. Gone are the days when government jobs used to be created (on political grounds)," Tiwari told a news agency. He said his government was trying to build infrastructure facilities so that industries and banks can set up their units in the state and thereby solve the problem of unemployment.

In this regard, Tiwari said the industries can employ the local youth while banking companies can provide loans on easy terms helping them establish self-employment units.

Referring to the delay in announcement of the state's new industrial policy, Tiwari expressed the hope it would be done in due course of time. "On the basis of special industrial package announced by the Centre, my government is preparing an investor-friendly policy which would be announced in due course of time," he said.

Stating that the State Industrial Development Corporation of Uttaranchal (SIDCUL) had already received 150 investment proposals, Tiwari said he wanted some industries to be set up in remote areas of the state.

Bureau Report