Port Blair, June 24: The PCC President, Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma having concern of the volatile future of the unemployed youth of these islands met the Lt Governor today and requested to consider unemployment allowance to them.

Sharma said that at present, as per the records of the local Employment exchange, there are a total of 42,047 unemployed youths among which 18617 are women and 23,430 are men who are waiting to get jobs. Apart from them, there are many who are not registered but unemployed. Yearly increase in the numbers of unemployed is a serious concern now.

While the A&N Administration has brought many projects for the unemployed youths, some of which for one reason or another could not either been materialized or is delayed. To overcome this situation to some extent, Sharma suggested to consider unemployment allowance @ Rs 2000/- per month to the eligible unemployed youths registered with the Employment Exchange and also to those who are not registered in Employment Exchange  to have some money for their daily requirements and also to help their family members.

Sharma has also stated that in a major decision, many State Governments like UP, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Bihar have extended the scope for unemployment allowance for the unemployed persons and according to which, those in general category in the age bracket of 25 to 40 years and of the reserve category in the age bracket of age bracket of 25-45 years would be eligible for the allowance. Many such Governments have also included ITI and polytechnic qualified unemployed youths for the benefit. Sharma has thus requested that a similar scheme be introduced in the islands for the benefit of the unemployed youth of the islands.