PM Narendra Modi has assured that his office will be recommending Punjab as an investment destination to foreign companies. File photo

Ruchika M Khanna

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 12

The Punjab Government has sought the help of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in dealing with large-scale unemployment in the border state, “which has the potential of disturbing peace in the border state”.With over 30 lakh unemployed youth in the state not able to find job avenues in the organised sector, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh sought the attention of the PM on this crucial issue during their meeting held at Delhi last evening. The CM is reportedly eyeing more jobs in the organised sector through a push to promoting industrialisation in the state.Official sources say the PM has assured that his office will be recommending Punjab as an investment destination to some Israel and Japan-based companies, which are looking to invest in India.Besides this foreign direct investment (FDI), the state is looking up to the Centre to announce a mega project in the public-private partnership mode.Sources say Amarinder, who stormed to power, buoyed by his promise of “ghar ghar naukri”, is concerned over the inability of policy makers to address this issue. Though the state government has tried to dovetail several central schemes such as MUDRA and Stand-Up India to provide employment, it is unlikely to take off in a manner that it can redress the problem. The number of jobs that the government itself can offer to youth is miniscule as compared to the huge unemployed population.Officials in the CM’s Office also say that recent incidents of terror outfits scouting for “their talent pool” have come to light. To nip this problem in the bud, the focus of the government is on creating gainful employment opportunities in the organised sector.The department of employment generation has already been asked to prepare a blueprint for setting up employment generation bureaus. A survey to identify unemployed youth in each district has started as also the preparation for an employment plan.