The district administration has initiated a mass contact programme for revival of UDAAN, Skill Development Flagship Programme, in a mission mode by bringing maximum youth under the umbrella of skill upgradation and placement offered under the scheme by Government of India in collaboration with State Government.This was informed by the Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, while reviewing the progress under the scheme and reasons for extremely poor response of youth and absorption in companies in a meeting convened here today.It was revealed that despite more than 8500 graduates registered with the Employment Exchange only a handful turned for previous placement drive.
Principal GDC Udhampur presented a resume of activities launched by the placement cell and for eliciting greater response from the youth. Besides, status of unemployed youth and trend of qualifications was also discussed. The officers from Rural Development, Employment, Industries, Education, Revenue, Higher Education and ITI also presented their views for improvement in UDAAN placement drive.The DDC informed that a wider plan has been carved out for revival of UDAAN. In this regard, the Information department has initiated dissemination of information through Radio and Doordarshan, Rural Development Department will spread awareness through Gram Panchayats, Morning assemblies in High and Higher Secondary Schools will have talk on UDAAN, Employment Exchange will approach each of the registered youth and likewise industries department will coordinate in likening the skills required for local youth. Besides, a series of workshops have been planned at District, Sub-Division, Tehsil and Block level.
A resource pool of 60 officers and educators will hold pre-placement training of the desiring and deserving graduates for enhancing their communication skills and confidence of personality tests. Besides, batches of 50-100 youth will be trained at Tehsil headquarters prior to UDAAN placement drive. ADC Angrez Singh Rana, CPO Rakesh Jamwal, Principal GDC Udhampur, Asstt Commissioner Development, Asstt Commissioner Revenue, GM DIC, Deputy Director Employment, CEO, Distt Information Officer, Superintendent ITI and officers from various departments participated in the meeting.