Srinagar: Secretary, Rural Development Department and Panchayati Raj Mohammad Aijaz Asad on Thursday stressed the need for ensuring quality and sustainable employment opportunities for rural youth under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana 2.0 programme.
He was chairing a review meeting of Project Implementing Agencies under the HIMAYAT Scheme (DDU-GKY 2.0) to assess implementation and progress of the programme across Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by Chief Operating Officer Himayat Rajneesh Gupta, State Project Manager Sajad Choudary, officers of the Himayat Mission Management Unit and representatives of various Project Implementing Agencies.
During the meeting, the performance of each implementing agency engaged under the first phase of HIMAYAT 2.0 was reviewed with focus on training completion, placements, retention and quality of employment opportunities being provided to rural youth.
The secretary observed that while most agencies had substantially achieved their training targets, the immediate priority now remains achieving mandated placement targets under the scheme.
Officials informed the meeting that against a sanctioned target of 2,248 candidates for the financial year 2025-26, around 1,615 candidates have already been trained, while 650 candidates have been placed so far.
Aijaz Asad emphasised that HIMAYAT is a placement-linked programme aimed at generating sustainable livelihoods and directed agencies to ensure result-oriented efforts towards quality placements for trained candidates.
He said placements should not remain limited to issuance of appointment letters but should ensure long-term employment sustainability and livelihood security for the candidates.
The secretary also stressed reducing attrition among placed candidates and directed agencies to provide proper counselling, continued support and conducive facilities to trainees.
He further asked implementing agencies to maintain high standards in hostel facilities, training infrastructure and overall trainee welfare.
The meeting concluded with directions to all agencies to work in close coordination with the Himayat Mission Management Unit to ensure timely achievement of targets with sustained focus on quality skilling, placement retention and youth empowerment across Jammu and Kashmir.