BUDGAM: In a series of events, District Employment and Counseling Centre, in collaboration with District Administration Budgam today conducted a daylong “Youth Engagement and Outreach Initiative” at Town hall, Khansahab in Budgam.

The programme was presided over by SDM Khansahab, Syed Ahmad Kataria, while as DD Employment, various other heads of line departments and scores of members of youth clubs participated in the programme.

The program shall continue for a month at Sub division levels and at panchayat levels, wherein all 371 youth clubs having strength of 2995 members shall carry out the scheduled activities in collaboration with different departments for maximum outreach and information regarding different self- employment schemes and other activities.

Speaking on the occasion, SDM urged the youth to actively participate in the constructive activities and be part of the massive awareness generation about self employment schemes of the government.

He said that the youth engagement and outreach programme shall be carried out in every part of the district and programmes including socio- economic issues, drug de-addiction, self-employment and women specific issues shall be highlighted at stretch.

On the occasion, resources persons from the Health department deliberated upon the drug menace and its impact on youth in particular and on society in general.

DD employment while speaking on the occasion said that the aim and objective of the programme is to impart and sensitize the youth about the various government schemes launched for the betterment and socio economic development of the youth. He stressed upon the youth to register themselves with the employment department and select the scheme in which they are interested.