In a strategic move ahead of upcoming assemble elections, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced Rs 1,500 allowance to those who are unemployed young job seekers and passed secondary examination (class 10).
According to the TMC Supremo, all the young men and women of 21–40 years and have passed secondary exams are eligible to receive Rs 1,500 per month. She said while the assistance was originally scheduled to begin in April, it will now start immediately.
Key Highlights Of Announcement
Target Group: Unemployed individuals aged 21–40 who have completed their secondary education (Class 10).
Immediate Effect: Payments moved from April 1 to March 7 to mark the global celebration of women.
Eligibility: Students not currently receiving other government subsidies (excluding scholarships) are eligible for the monthly stipend.
The West Bengal Chief Minister shared the news during a protest against the large-scale removal of voters' names from the electoral roll during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. Addressing the sit-in on the eve of International Women’s Day, she used the platform to make the formal announcement.
"In the case of Yuva Sathi, all those who are still studying and are not beneficiaries of any schemes other than scholarships will receive the amount. We had earlier stated that the money would be given on April 1. But since tomorrow is International Women's Day, as a gift, we have changed the payment date from April 1 to today on March 7," she said.
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Economic Performance And Job Creation
Asserting that her administration has significantly expand the job market and employment opportunities Banerjee stated, "The unemployment rate in Bengal has decreased by 40 per cent. We have provided skill training to at least 40 lakh people, out of which around 10 lakh are already employed.
She said, "This has also happened because we have linked the websites of industrialists with those who have received skill training through Utkarsha Bangla. If migrant workers are interested, they will also be given opportunities. Recently, I heard that around 10,000 people are being trained in the jute industry, and they will also be absorbed into jobs,".
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Industrial and Agricultural Growth
West Bengal CM said that the six economic corridors are being constructed in Bengal to connect the entire state.
"Apart from that, two power plants of 1,600 megawatts (800 megawatts each) are being built in Salboni. We are also number one in IT. More people are employed here than in Bengaluru. Around 200 new companies have also come here.
"Those who defame the state should know that we are number one in small and medium-scale industries. Around 1.5 crore people work in small-scale industries. Units from across the country have come here. In Bengal's leather hub in Bantala, at least 7.5 lakh people work there. Our self-help group women are doing really well. We have created around 12 lakh self-help groups," she said.
Bengal's GSDP is the highest even after "repaying Rs 6 lakh crore of debt and paying interest on it and despite Rs 2 lakh crore of central funds still pending," the CM added.