1,522 Employees Get Incentives, ₹25.42 Crore Transferred to 304 Employers in J&K; LG Sinha Hails Scheme as Milestone for Employment and Social Security
Srinagar, June 19 :
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on Friday disbursed incentives worth around ₹2,400 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY), benefiting more than 15 lakh individuals across the country. The initiative aims to strengthen formal employment, support first-time job seekers and encourage industries to create new employment opportunities.
The main national programme was held at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, while simultaneous events were organised at nearly 200 locations across the country. In Jammu and Kashmir, special functions were held at the Convention Centre Jammu, Bari Brahmana Industrial Association Samba, Lok Bhavan Srinagar and other venues.
Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described PM-VBRY as more than just an employment scheme, saying it is a transformative initiative designed to empower youth entering the workforce for the first time and create a strong connection between industry and skilled manpower.
The Prime Minister said India’s youth are earning global recognition for their talent and capabilities, adding that the Government remains committed to ensuring every young citizen gets opportunities to translate potential into success. He extended his best wishes to young beneficiaries and expressed confidence in their role in shaping a developed India.
According to official figures, Jammu and Kashmir emerged as a significant beneficiary under the scheme. A total of 1,522 employees received incentives amounting to ₹74 lakh, while ₹25.42 crore was directly transferred into the bank accounts of 304 employers through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), aimed at promoting formal employment and expanding social security coverage.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who joined the programme virtually, expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving a fresh impetus to employment generation, enhancing employability and extending social security benefits across Jammu and Kashmir.
Calling the occasion historic, the Lieutenant Governor said the programme symbolises the aspirations, dreams and opportunities that are transforming the lives of youth in the Union Territory.
He noted that before August 2019, workers in Jammu and Kashmir lacked access to comprehensive social security protections. However, after the implementation of the Employees’ Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, in November 2019, lakhs of workers from the region were brought under the national social security framework for the first time.
LG Sinha said the PM-VBRY reflects the Government of India’s commitment towards building a “Viksit Bharat” by ensuring formal employment, universal social security and greater opportunities for youth. He highlighted that the scheme provides direct financial assistance to first-time employees while incentivising employers to create additional jobs.
He further stated that more than 3.5 crore employment opportunities are expected to be incentivised across the country over the next two years under the scheme, which will have a far-reaching impact on millions of families.
Highlighting Jammu and Kashmir’s performance, the Lieutenant Governor said over 3,300 establishments in the Union Territory have registered under PM-VBRY. More than 22,500 youth have entered the formal employment sector for the first time through the initiative, while over 31,000 job opportunities have become eligible for incentives, directly benefiting more than 53,000 citizens.
He also appreciated the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) for introducing reforms aligned with the principles of Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living and urged more enterprises across Jammu and Kashmir to join the scheme.
The PM-VBRY, a flagship Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) programme of the Government of India, provides eligible first-time employees with financial support equivalent to one month’s wage, up to ₹15,000. Employers creating additional jobs receive incentives for two years, while manufacturing units are eligible for support for an additional two years to encourage sustained employment generation.
The Jammu programme witnessed participation from Members of Parliament, senior government officials, industry representatives, employers, beneficiaries and EPFO officers. During the event, several employment letters were also distributed to newly recruited employees, reflecting the scheme’s growing impact on job creation in the Union Territory.
Employer representatives lauded the initiative for strengthening industries and generating new employment opportunities, while beneficiaries appreciated the direct financial support being provided under the scheme.(KNC)