State to create 25 lakh jobs

Thiruvananthapuram: The state government is aiming to create 25 lakh jobs in various sectors ranging from Information Technology to agriculture and small industries in the next few years.

In his opening policy address in the 14th state Assembly here today, Governor Justice P Sathasivam said a comprehensive IT policy would be brought out in the next two months, giving thrust to the employability of youth in tune with the changing demands of the IT industry.

"Our aim will be to create 10 lakh jobs in the areas of Informational Technology, bio technology, tourism, electronics and other emerging areas," in the next few years, he said.

"We hope to add another 15 lakh jobs in the areas of agriculture, construction, commerce and small industries," the Governor said.

Detailing the further plans in the IT sector, he said the first phase of the Cyberpark in Kozhikode would be completed in this financial year.

The allotment of space in the new building, sprawling over 2.88 lakh sq ft, would commence. A new scheme for supporting 1,000 selected innovative ideas in the technology sector with an assistance of Rs two lakh for each would be launched.

"We will provide financial, infrastructure and technology assistance to 1500 start-ups. We will also double the space available in IT Parks," he said.

In the next three months, 1,000 Wi-fi hotspots would be made available to the public, one in each panchayat with preference to bus stations/railway stations, A-grade libraries and similar common facilities, he said.

An unique multi-pronged mobile application, 'm-keralam', which would integrate citizen centric e-governance applications, would be launched with 75 transactional services and 35 informational services across 42 government departments, the Governor said.