Guj Cong promises govt jobs to 1 lakh youths in state

Ahmedabad: In a bid to woo voters, Gujarat Congress on Monday announced that if the party is voted to power, it would provide government jobs to one lakh youths and increase the age limit for getting such jobs from 30 to 35.

"There are 33 per cent vacancies in state government offices and if Congress comes to power, the party will give government jobs to one lakh youths of the state," Gujarat Congress president Arjun Modhvadia said.

He said a Congress-led government would also increase the age limit for getting a government job to 35 years from the present 30 years.

Modhvadia was releasing the seventh point of the party's 10 point agenda under the 'Gujarat Praja Vikas Darshan'. The party had earlier announced poll sops like houses to housewives at a very nominal rates, plots to rural housewives and laptops to all college students, among others.

"In 1995, when Congress was in power, the state had 2.15 lakh full-time government employees but the now the number has come down to 1.74 lakh," Congress alleged.

The party also announced it would form a new policy compelling industries coming to invest in the state to give 80 per cent employment to local youths.

"There are more than 10 lakhs unemployed youths in the state and in the next five years, we will create jobs for them," Modhvadia said.

"We will start 100 new ITIs to give vocational training to youths," he added.

Leader of the Opposition Shaktisinh Gohil and campaign committee chief Shankarsinh Vaghela were also present on the occasion.

Vaghela said Congress will also give interest rebate on loan taken by youths for purchase of two wheelers.

Vaghela said the Modi government had started making a number of announcements for the people in recent times as the assembly elections were inching closer.

"It is good if the state government fulfills what they are announcing. But the only thing I want to ask is why do they remember people just now, even though they have been in power for the past 12 years," he said.

Gohil alleged the BJP government had failed to provide employment to youths as it was not worried about the common people.