Affirming the state government’s commitment to give a fillip to the entrepreneurship in the state, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Thursday said that one per cent of the budget allocation would be earmarked for youth entrepreneurship scheme.
Addressing 50 lakh students from various educational institutes through the Google Hangout, the Chief Minister said that it is for the first time that a state has set aside such a hefty sum in the budget for promoting entrepreneurs.
“The youth in the state will never be short of money for starting their venture. This is an Onam gift that would be well-received by the them,” he said.
Marking the Entrepreneurship Day, Chandy said the draft for the Youth Entrepreneurship Programme would be prepared within 30 days.
“Entrepreneurship development clubs will be started in all colleges. The scheme started in the IT and Telecom sectors will be extended to agriculture, health, cinema, culture and tourism sectors,” he said.
Chandy recalled his student days when after taking a degree, getting a job abroad was the biggest dream. “Malayalis are a success outside the state and the country.
They have created wonders outside India. But we have failed to create such success within the state and this scheme is aimed to equip the youth to realize it within the state. Our motto is Emerging from Within Kerala,” he said.
Chandy said that around 1000 novel ideas were received in IT/Telecom sector at the Start up village in Kalamassery.
“The new generation should be able to utilise the full potential of the state and it was keeping this in mind that the state government launched the students/youth entrepreneurship programme in the Emerging Kerala held a year ago. Already orders have been issued for awarding 4 per cent grace marks and 20 per cent attendance for those coming forward for becoming student entrepreneurs,” Chief Minister Oommen Chandysaid.
Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty also attended the Google Hangout and he inaugurated Start up wall poster of 150 metres arranged in front of the Secretariat.