WHY IN THE NEWS?

• The Punjab Cabinet gave a nod to a new scheme that will help the unemployed youth in the state to hone their skills and increase their chances of getting a job.
• These youngsters will be given short-term skill training free of cost under the ‘‘Mera Kaam Mera Maan” scheme of the state government. A target of 30,000 beneficiaries has been proposed, at a cost of ₹ 90 crores.
• The scheme also provides an employment assistance allowance of ₹ 2,500 per month for a period of 12 months from the start of the training course, which will be conducted at Punjab Skill Development Mission training centres.
• The allowance shall be given during the training period, and after successfully completing the training, during the pre-placement and post-placement period of 12 months from the date of the start of the programme.