Kovi Meyase addressing the Angami Gazetted Officers’ Krotho’s Krüta Nousi Kehou at Capital Convention Centre on September 23. (DIPR Photo)
Dimapur registers largest with 32700 followed by Kohima with 10900 and Mokokchung with 2215
Kohima, September 24 (MExN): As per a survey, there are 13,000 business establishments/units by both Nagas and non-Nagas in three district headquarters alone and about 45815 non-Nagas were earning a livelihood with an annual income of Rs 450 crore.
Dimapur had the largest non-Naga workforce with 32700 people followed by Kohima with a workforce of 10900 and Mokokchung with a workforce of 2215 non-Nagas. Construction sector employed the highest number of non-Nagas followed by loading and unloading of goods in railways stations, bus stations and godowns. The third largest sector employing workforce was in the trading and entrepreneurial activities such as running of small shops and ancillary business followed by those running groceries and ration shops.
These figures were disclosed by Secretary, Works & Housing, Kesonyü Yhome, IAS while speaking as the guest speaker of the Angami Gazetted Officers’ Krotho (AGOK) Krüta Nousi Kehou with its units viz, SAGOK, NAGOK, WAGOK & CGOK along with village level officers’ Krotho to uphold AGOK’s motto ‘U Themia Dzevi’ at Capital Convention Centre on September 23.
As per a DIPR report, Yhome stated that over 93000 educated unemployed youth have been registered in the Employment Exchange Register and the actual figure could be double or even more, he said.
Nagaland had more than 1.2 lakh government employees to population ratio in the country and the entry to government services has not only become scarce but also become very competitive, he added.
One of the striking reasons for unemployment among educated youth appears to be a strong craze only for certain special courses (medicine, engineering), aspiration for white-collared jobs/preference for government service, lack of spirit of dignity of labour etc. Owing to these preferences, there is a significant loss of opportunities which are available within the state. “This can be easily gauged by taking into account the number of non-Nagas employed in the unorganized and private sector in the state which otherwise could have been capitalized by the Nagas themselves,” he observed.
“In order to bring a change we need to change our perspectives, unless we change our perspectives we will remain as it is today even in the coming days,” he added.
Entrepreneurs unable to access right environment, information
Commissioner & Secretary, Industries & Commerce, Kekhrievor Kevichüsa, IPoS said entrepreneurial spirit in Nagas is very strong, however, the entrepreneurs in our state have been failing over the years as they are unable to access the right environment, information etc.
Therefore, he urged AGOK members to take the responsibility in disseminating proper and timely information to those suffering or facing problems in terms of financial constraints, accessing the right guidance and getting the right information.
He highlighted the importance, benefits and criteria of a scheme called ‘PMRY’ under the Department of Industries & Commerce which has been designed to provide employment to educated unemployed youth by setting up of micro-enterprises, self-employment, venture for industries, services etc.
Change of mindset is need of the hour
Additional Secretary, Labour, Employment, Skill Development &Entrepreneurship, Kovi Meyase, NCS mentioned some of the programmes under the Department of Employment, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship for skilling the youth such as Industrial Training Institutes, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) , NEC funded skill development programmes etc. He said youth who aspires to set up enterprises should take advantage of the Leveraging Entrepreneurship Development Center (EDC) and avail the entrepreneurship Development Programme which will cover 60 candidates.
The youth of the state predominantly depend on the government as a source of employment, however, with the saturation of the sector and limited industrial activities, there has been a steep rise in the unemployment rate in the state, he stated.
He said it was mainly due to low vocational capability and inadequate infrastructure to support the vocational education. Lack of awareness, lack of motivation, alternative employment, socio-cultural factors as inhibitors, economic factors, policy framework, education system & orientation were the root causes of unemployment, Meyase added.
He said change of mindset is the need of the hour since government is unable to give employment to all the educated youth in the state. Therefore, he urged the educated unemployed youth to take up other alternate forms of employment (both wage employment and self employment) other than government jobs.
Need to go back to the land
Retd Joint Director, Agriculture, Vizonyü Liezietsu urged the educated unemployed youth to go back to the land rather than solely depending on the government considering the present condition of our state’s economy.
He highlighted the scope and prospects of Agri & Allied and how it would help one to become self- reliant in this fast changing world. He said we could produce sufficient food and vegetables for our own consumption but we don’t have sufficient production for commercial purposes. Therefore, he strongly emphasized on the importance and benefits of commercialization of our crops through different methods at different seasons.
He also warned not to use insecticides or pesticides without knowing the use of it as it would not only hamper our vegetation but also would have future repercussions on our health.
Liezietsu also appealed to the members to preserve our dialect, culture and traditions as these are the inherent traits which give one’s identity.
The keynote address and the way forward were delivered by AGOK, President Neilasa Sopfü while the vote of thanks was proposed by AGOK, vice president, Er Nirei-e Nisa. Akho Neikha & Friends presented a special number while invocation was offered by Associate Pastor, Khedi Baptist Church, Kohima, Kezhakietuo Belho.
The DIPR report stated that the programme was organized along with all Kicha/Rüna office bearers. It was attended by AHODs, HODs and other well wishers.
