Congress poll promise: Rs 8,500 for educated, jobless youth

The Congress party on Sunday announced a financial assistance scheme, ‘Yuva Udan Yojana,’ offering Rs 8,500 per month to educated, unemployed youth in Delhi for one year, if the party comes to power in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections. The promise was made by former Union Minister and AICC general secretary Sachin Pilot, ahead of a major rally by Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, in Seelampur, East Delhi, scheduled for Monday.

Speaking at a press conference, Pilot emphasised that the scheme was not a form of ‘handout’ but a way to empower youth by linking financial support with skill development and employment. “We will provide financial assistance to youths who can show their skills in a company, factory or organisation. This is not a scheme where one can sit at home and receive money,” Pilot clarified.

The ‘Yuva Udan Yojana’ is designed to help young people improve their skill sets and secure jobs in companies where they can be trained. Pilot explained, “We will try to place people in the fields where they have received training, helping them improve their skill set.”

“The Central and Delhi governments have failed the educated, jobless youth. The Congress governments under Rajiv Gandhi and Manmohan Singh brought about the IT revolution and economic reforms, which created jobs for youths,” Pilot said.

He added, “Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge are in favour of supporting educated, jobless youth. We are guaranteeing Rs 8,500 per month for one year, with efforts to get them absorbed in companies where we will train them.”