Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today called upon various Universities running short term skill development courses and industrial sector especially hotel industry to come forward and join hands with the state government for the redressal of rapidly growing grave situation of unemployment not only in the state but throughout the country, posing a great threat to the entire nation. The Chief Minister was presiding over a high level meeting of the officers of Ministry of Tourism GoI besides, state top brass and representatives of different educational institutions and industry here today at Punjab Bhawan. Taking part in the brain storming session, Badal mentioned that the issue of unemployment was not only of the state alone rather it had become a national problem, if not taken care of timely, would explode the economy as well the social structure of our country in coming times. Taking a serious note of it, the Punjab government had already initiated concerted efforts with the target of maximum employment potential generation for unemployed youth in the state particularly for those who belong to poor rural families, said Badal. Reiterating the firm commitment of SAD-BJP government to impart vocational training to the unemployed youth, Badal said that the State Government had already set up Department of Employment Generation to give sharpened focus to check the problem of unemployment in a result oriented manner and had successfully launched Skill Development program in collaboration with renowned Bharti Wal Mart to impart training in retailing, logistics and supply chain management, L&T for construction skills and Tata Motors for driving and Automotive skills for the youth of the state. Giving the details of the program to explore the opportunities and scopes of Skill Development in Hospitality, Tourism, TV and Film sectors in Punjab, Principal Secretary Tourism Mrs. Geetika Kalha proposed 17 new skill development courses, that would add skilled work force of 5775 for the year 2012-13 and that of 13000 for year 2013-14 in tourism sector. The new courses would include Therapy Beauty, Therapy Cosmetology Traditional Yoga, Trained for lighting, Photography and Museum Gallery Facilitator etc. On the occasion, Special Secretary Ministry of Tourism GoI Sanjay Kothari made a detailed presentation of various courses approved by GoI under skill development training scheme and appreciated the concerted efforts of the state government in taking lead to redress of this serious issue of unemployment. He assured that government of India would consider all viable proposals of the state government and would also chalk out futuristic plan for providing central assistance to Punjab. Emphasizing the need to create awareness amongst the masses for these beneficial short term courses, Kothari asked the state government to intensify their efforts for the publicity of these schemes in an effective manner. Prominent amongst other who were present on the occasion included Tourism Minister Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Principal Secretary Tech. Edu.& Indl. Training SS Channy, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister KJS Cheema, Principal Food Craft Institute NavdeepSharma, Director Chitkara School of Hospitality CM Bhan, Director Doordarshan Om Gauri Dutt Sharma and Director CAMS Punjabi University Dr. Gurmit Maan, besides many other representative of Hotel Industry.