Shivamogga :- In a significant move to address the rising concerns of unemployment, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah officially launched the ‘Yuva Nidhi’ scheme on Friday at Freedom Park in Shivamogga. The unveiling ceremony was attended by Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and other prominent ministers.
The ‘Yuva Nidhi’ initiative, marking the fifth and final poll guarantee of the Congress party, aims to provide financial assistance to unemployed youth in the state. The scheme targets graduates and diploma holders who completed their degrees in the academic year 2022-23. The government has pledged a monthly allowance of Rs 3,000 for degree holders and Rs 1,500 for diploma holders who have been unable to secure employment in the last six months and are not pursuing higher studies.
During the launch event, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah personally handed out cheques to unemployed graduates who had gathered from various parts of the state. The first round of allowances is expected to be disbursed shortly after the program’s inauguration, according to organizers.
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and ministers Sharana Prakash Patil, Madhu Bangarappa, Mankale Vaidya, MC Sudhakar, and others were also present, underlining the government’s commitment to addressing the pressing issue of unemployment.
In a statement, Minister Sharana Prakash Patil clarified that the ‘Yuva Nidhi’ scheme is applicable exclusively to graduates and diploma holders domiciled in Karnataka. This targeted approach aims to ensure that the benefits reach those in need within the state.
This latest initiative adds to the series of guarantees introduced by the Congress government, including ‘Shakti’ (free rides for women in non-luxury government buses), ‘Anna Bhagya’ (providing 10 kg of rice to BPL families), ‘Gruha Jyoti’ (offering free electricity up to 200 units for households), and ‘Gruha Lakshmi’ (monthly financial assistance of Rs 2,000 for women heads of families with APL/BPL ration cards). The comprehensive approach seeks to address multiple aspects of citizens’ welfare and well-being.
