Punjab will rope in banks to provide soft loans to startups: CM
RURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP Says startups not only facilitate selfemployment for individuals, but also help provide jobs to others
PATIALA: Chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday said the state government will rope in banks and other financial institutions to provide soft loans to youth for launching startups.
Addressing a two-day convention and exhibition on rural entrepreneurship and innovation organised by the state industries department in collaboration with the PHD Chamber, the CM stressed the need to motivate youth to shift towards self-employment under the government’s startup programme.
The CM urged the PHD Chamber to become a knowledge partner with the government for programmes aimed at inculcating the spirit of entrepreneurship amongst youngsters. Startups not only facilitate gainful self-employment for individuals but also help provide jobs to other youngsters, he further said.
Referring to the success of his government’s flagship “Ghar Ghar Rozgar” programme, under which over 1.62 lakh jobs had been provided jobs so far, the CM reiterated his commitment to ensuring ample job opportunities for the unemployed youth of the state. He cited the example of the IT hub being developed at Mohali to enable the IT sector to emerge as a major employment source for the state’s talented and intelligent youngsters. Pointing to the technological advancements being made the world over, he exhorted the youth to align themselves to new technologies to remain competitive.
Sharing a blueprint for his government’s skill development programme, the CM said the initiative was aimed at providing specialised skill training to students to semi-educated youngsters in nearly 200 ITIS across the state so as to enable them to earn their livelihood with dignity.
On the occasion, Amarinder also handed over an administrative sanction of ₹25 lakh to upgrade infrastructure at the Government Mohindra College, established in 1876 by the then Maharaja of Patiala, Mohinder Singh.
Health and family welfare minister Brahm Mohindra said his department would soon organise a job fest to provide jobs in various medical and paramedical fields.