BDF questions CM's rationale behind unemployment allowance

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

SILCHAR: Barak Democratic Front (BDF) hunting for clues in State declared schemes and projects for the welfare of people for political gains now stumbles upon the recent announcement by Chief Minister SarbanandaSonowal about the decision of his Government to pay one time unemployment allowance of Rs 50,000 to educated unemployed youths of the State. The Front has picked up many a whole in the scheme to pay the amount and questions the rational of its distribution. According to information, 2 lakh unemployed youths attached with self help groups (SHGs) will be eligible for the allowance. BDF convener PradipDutta Roy reminded the Chief Minister that the State of Assam has around 28 lakh unemployed youths, of which 3 lakh are in Barak Valley.

The BDF convener says that the amount of allowance to be given is too paltry to be of any help to such a large army of unemployed youths. He adds to say with such a small amount of allowance, no entrepreneurship of worth can be taken up and implemented to generate sustainable employment opportunities. The price index has gone up with ever soaring inflation rate and the economy of the country is yet to recover fully. Rather, the distribution of unemployment allowance will cost dearly the public exchequer. Moreover, what methodology is to be followed to select the target group of youths.

PradipDutta Roy raises the relevant question why this kind of announcement just on the eve of elections. This should have been done earlier. It has become like the spree of foundation stones for schemes and projects now being laid across the State. He calls it political gimmickry and imputes political motive. According to Dutta Roy, youths having allegiance to saffron party will be on roll and get preferential treatment jut to boost up its cadre strength.

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