Government’s job fair clicks for Kalahandi

The New Indian Express (Bhubaneswar), March 19, 2013

Acknowledging that job opportunities in Government, industry, mining and service sectors are poor in Kalahandi district, a job fair sponsored by State Government proved to be a boon for the unemployed youths.

The results of January 29 job fair revealed that the concept of the Government in organising it through State Employment Mission can give many youths the hope for a bright future. It also offered employment scope to those who were unable to continue studies after primary education, said

District Employment Exchange Officer Bijaya Kumar Patra.

Explaining about the effect, Patra said the feedback received from benefited youths is encouraging. “It is only the beginning and in future, we expect more youths will benefit,” he added. However, Patra said, there is lack of awareness among the youths of the district regarding the opportunities offered by the job fair. According to the review reports, against the target of 3,000, only 2,761 youths were enrolled  through block-level enrolment drive. Of them, 2,061 participated in the job fair held at Bhawanipatna.

Besides, Patra said considering backwardness of the district in almost all sectors, the companies and employment agencies are also not forthcoming. Against the invited 188 private companies, only nine participated in the fair, he added.

The response to the fair in tribal dominated blocks like Thuamul Rampur and Lanjigarh was comparatively less than Bhawanipatna, Karlamunda, Dharamgarh and Kesinga.

According to the reports, in Lanjigarh block, 97 candidates enrolled while only 79 participated in the fair against a target of 200. However, only 26 succeeded in getting jobs.

Similarly, in Thuamul Rampur, 69 enrolled against the target of 200. Of them, 59 participated and 21 got the employment.

On the other hand, in Bhawanipatna block, while the target was to enroll 400 candidates, 630 enrolled with 570 turning up at the fair and 200 getting selected.

Lack of awareness, low standard of education, lack of infrastructure, inaccessibility in many areas and home sickness can be cited as the reasons for less participation of youths in the tribal areas, Patra said.

Emphasising on the need for building adequate infrastructure for the youths of tribal areas, the locals said motivational drives should be conducted with more intensity.