THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State Planning Board has recommended the government to form a comprehensive self-employment programme for prospective entrepreneurs.
Titled Comprehensive Mission on Employment Generation Activities (MEGA), it will provide holistic direction and oversight to various self-employment programmes as well as end-to-end services to potential entrepreneurs.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had asked the board to formulate a comprehensive scheme to create mass employment avenues to address the growing unemployment issue. MEGA was suggested by a task force headed by Planning Board Vice Chairman K M Chandrasekhar.The task force found that the various self-employment programmes in the state were not reaching the beneficiaries effectively. The major lapses of the schemes were disregard to crucial factors such as skill development, business planning, tie-ups with markets and financing agencies and lack of awareness on regulatory compliance.The officials said the Mission will have accredited resource personnel and service providers who would mentor the entrepreneurs.
Community skill colleges, practical training centres, and entrepreneurship programmes will also be set up. The task force has suggested to establish business incubators in all districts and technology incubators in potential sectors.The government has formed a high power panel headed by the chief secretary for further steps based on the task force report.