Terming unemployment as a major challenge to the society, Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti today described entrepreneurship as an important intervention to create more jobs and provide youth more creative means of economic engagement.

Interacting with some young entrepreneurs here today, the Chief Minister said entrepreneurship has emerged as an important sector for providing livelihood not only to the youth who adopt it but also to a chain of people who work in subsidiary mode with them.

The Chief Minister said she is very optimistic about the capacities and capabilities of the youth of the State which have been displayed quite often both at local and national levels. She said there are many attractive schemes in micro, small and medium industry sectors which the youth should enroll into, set up units with small equity and register their capabilities locally and nationally.

Terming the young entrepreneurs as the future hope of the State, Mehbooba Mufti said she is conscious of their difficulties and problems. She said the problems and difficulties flagged by the young entrepreneurs would be addressed on priority and efforts would be made to make their operations as easy as possible.

The Chief Minister said she would shortly convene an inter ministerial meeting to sort these out. She said the Government is thinking of setting up a separate centre for women entrepreneurs to guide them about various schemes and encourage them to adopt the same.

Mehbooba Mufti agreed to the suggestion that a single window clearance mechanism be established at EDI, with representation from JK Bank, Departments of Industries, Revenue and other concerned agencies to clear their cases on spot. She appreciated the efforts of the EDI in providing the young minds a platform to realize their dreams.

In his remarks, Secretary, J&K Sports Council, Waheed ur Rehman Parra underscored the need for seriously pursuing entrepreneurship in the State to tide over the problem of unemployment among youth. He said there is an urgent need to reclaim the pride and confidence of youth who have much to offer to the State and the society.

Director, J&K Entrepreneurship Development Institute, Dr. M. I. Parray was also present on the occasion.

Guest