In an unexpected move, the Rajasthan government, headed by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal, has decided to close two significant schemes, raising concerns about the potential impact on employment. The announcement to discontinue the Rajiv Gandhi Yuva Mitra Internship Scheme and halt the recruitment of Mahatma Gandhi Seva Preraks has drawn criticism, particularly as it contradicts the earlier promise not to halt any schemes.
The Rajiv Gandhi Yuva Mitra Internship Scheme, initiated by the previous government, aimed to train youth to disseminate information about various government schemes after completing the training. The sudden decision to close the scheme by December 31, 2023, has left approximately 5,000 youth unemployed. Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot expressed his dissatisfaction, suggesting that if the government had issues with the name, they could have changed it instead of discontinuing the entire scheme.
In addition to the internship program, the recruitment process for Mahatma Gandhi Seva Preraks, who was responsible for spreading the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi, has also been halted. The Gehlot government had previously recruited motivators for this purpose, and the decision to discontinue the recruitment process has left 50,000 youth facing unemployment.
State Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra criticised the BJP government, stating that they have gifted unemployment to thousands of Rajiv Gandhi youth by ending their internship program abruptly. The move has sparked a debate on the government’s approach to youth employment and its commitment to continuing essential schemes.
The closure of both schemes is expected to have a direct impact on around one lakh youth, raising concerns about the potential social and economic repercussions. The government’s decision has led to discussions about the need for a balanced approach that considers the welfare of the youth while addressing any concerns about the scheme names.
