Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam

YSR launches two schemes

VISAKHAPATNAM: Exuding newfound confidence for standing on their feet and a strong desire to achieve more, youth trained in various gainful employment programmes by the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation stole the show at an interaction with Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy. He launched Rajiv Udyogasri Upadhi, aimed at training 25,000 youth for employment and ‘Swikaram’ in which donors adopt municipal schools. He honoured the donors.

Emphasising that his government was giving top priority for employment, Dr. Rajasekhar Reddy said it would spend Rs. 200 crores on training youth for employment during the year christened ‘Upadhi Namasamvatsaram’ (Year of Employment) by him. The National Academy of Construction (NAC) branches would be opened in all the districts, he declared. He underlined that it was not mere training but one that ensured jobs.

During the interaction, Kiran working for JMC constructions said after a three-month training at NAC he was earning Rs. 3,500 a month.

It was a woman mason who stole the show. She was a labourer carrying sand, bricks and cement earlier. But after a 15-day training, she is now able to work as a ‘maistri.’ Her earning has gone up from Rs.75 a day to Rs. 200 now. “We can hire a concrete mixer and take up work as contractors if you grant us loans,” she firmly demanded. Another woman after training by Dr. Reddy Foundation is employed as promoter in a retail chain and is earning Rs. 4,500. The training for the youth given by National Construction Academy (NAC) and Dr. Reddy’s Foundation lasted from a fortnight to three months. The GVMC paid for their training that was linked to placement.

Former Chief Minister and MP N. Janardhan Reddy detailed the various initiatives taken by Dr. Rajasekhar Reddy for employment and said he was setting a new trend. He said at Uttarapalli training was given in fashion technology and employment was tied up with Brandix, a textile company.

He wanted 200 years of Nellore district also to be celebrated.

Mayor Pulusu Janardhana Rao said ‘Swikaram’ was inspired by the concept schools programme of the Chief Minister and was aimed at giving quality education. A total of Rs. 32.5 crores is required for the 95 schools in the GVMC limits. Deputy Mayor K. Dorabbai said a number of donors had come forward to contribute Rs. 9 crores for 57 schools and Rs. 3 crores by the corporation.

The contribution ranged from Rs.10 lakhs to Rs.25 lakhs. Dr. Reddy laid the stone for VUDA’s prestigious land pooling scheme.

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