Nitish announces Rs 1,000 aid for unemployed graduates aged 20-25

Patna: CM Nitish Kumar on Thursday expanded the scope of the CM Nishchay Swayam Sahayata Bhatta Yojana (CMNSSBY), announcing that unemployed or economically unengaged graduates aged 20-25 years will now receive financial assistance of Rs 1,000 per month for up to two years.The scheme, earlier limited to Intermediate pass youths, has now been extended to cover graduates of arts, science and commerce streams. The CM made the announcement through his social media platform, describing it as a major step to help young people prepare for skill development, self-employment or govt and private sector jobs.“It gives me immense pleasure to inform that the CMNSSBY, which had been under implementation as part of the Saat Nishchay programme, has been expanded,” he said.“Earlier, Intermediate pass youths were getting the benefits from the scheme, but decision has been taken to provide financial assistance under it to graduates of arts, science and commerce faculties,” he added.Explaining the revised criteria, he said, “Youths in the age-group of 20-25 years who are pursuing education but are trying to find jobs, or are neither in govt job nor in private or non-govt jobs, now will also get Rs 1,000 financial assistance per month up to two years under the scheme.”Nitish expressed hope that the aid would enable young men and women to “acquire training and prepare to succeed in getting employment, or become ready to take competitive examinations to make their future secure.”Highlighting his govt’s focus on employment, he said, “Right from coming to power in Nov 2005, giving govt jobs to as many youths as possible, and making them skilled and capable, has been our priority.”Referring to his recent employment promise, Nitish added, “A target has been fixed to give jobs and provide work opportunities for 1 crore youths over the next five years. For the fulfilment of the target, skill development work for youths is being done so that they get jobs or work opportunities.”