Perhaps lack of job opportunity is one of the major problems faced by the youths in Manipur. Chief Minister N Biren Singh, during a one-day international business summit ‘Gateway Manipur-connecting ASEAN Countries’ at Classic Hotel in Imphal on Thursday, said that the first building of Information and Technology Special Economic Zone (IT SEZ) will be ready soon. As the chief minister said, the IT SEZ is expected to create employment opportunities for about 1,500-2,000 persons.
Manipur, no doubt, has a good number of employable youths, However, due to the lack of employment opportunities in the state, the educated youths are left with no option than to migrate to metropolitan cities for better job prospects. Thousands of educated youths and job seekers migrate to major cities across the country as there are hardly any remarkable private enterprises in the state to employ this educated lot. This is one of the major limitations of job opportunities in the state.
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In addition to that, it is not possible for the state government to employ all the unemployed youths in Manipur. The government alone cannot provide jobs to all skilled and educated youths as the government machinery itself does not have adequate funds to employ thousands of the skilled youths. Moreover, to get a government job is no less than a challenge here, for reasons best known to the locals.
There are other several reasons that limit employment opportunities in this Northeastern state. Lack of basic amenities including power supply coupled with poverty and poor connectivity, many unemployed youths are left in the lurch. It is easier said than done. The unemployed youths cannot successfully start a new business or small-scale industries as most of the youths have capital limitations. Although the state government has launched several start-up schemes and programmes, including Start Up Manipur, the schemes are yet to reach many unemployed youths. .
Manipur has good potential and human resources but needs to be explored and utilised. Therefore, the youths need to make the best use of innovative ideas and thoughts. The youths, perhaps, have neither thought nor asked themselves what they can do. Hence, the youths should focus on accessing skill development programmes that are suitable to the state conditions.
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As the chief minister said, it is impossible for everyone to get a white collar job, but Start-Ups and entrepreneurship can ensure job guarantee to all. CM Biren has, time and again, been reiterating his government's commitment towards inclusive and sustainable development and is continuing its efforts to harness the dynamism of youths. The educated youths need to be more aware of the government welfare schemes and be self-reliant.
Meanwhile, to improve the employment scenario of the state, the government needs to step in with huge investment in public infrastructure. And hopefully, with the first IT SEZ, thousands of youths will get employment opportunities in the state.
