New PDS Cards to be distributed from First April

                      Finally, Govt has agreed to replace the mutilated old PDS cards distributed to BPL, APL and AAY families. It is an opportunity to address all issues arising related to PDS cards like improper distribution, lost cards and left out beneficiaries. It has also been decided  that the Rs 2 rice will not be distributed in KBK areas to privileged APL  class who are filling income tax return or are working with state govt.,central Govt ,Bank,PSU or Cooperative sector. Persons who own four wheelers or have been retired from govt job and are drawing pension above Rs 5000 will also be excluded from the famous Rs 2 rice benefit. This gives leverage to include all left out families from this scheme. Elaborate arrangements are being made to distribute the PDS cards in most efficient manner involving PRIs and NGOs from First April. The new cards will be water proof and the beneficiaries have to pay nominal cost for getting the cards. All details pertaining to distributed cards retailer wise would be made available in each Panchyat office and on the website as well.

Job fair in Koraput

       In order to address the problem of unemployment particularly among low educated youth a two Day Job fair was organized in Koraput at Jeypore in collaboration with Employment Mission, Govt of Orissa. It was meant for unemployed youth of Koraput , Malkangiri and Nabrangpur. 12th March was reserved for Malkangiri-Nabrangpur and 13th for Koraput. Massive turn out was observed on both days. District Administrations had made arrangements for the transport of candidates from each block. All arrangement including the lunch was made to encourage the smooth participation. Nearly 22000 candidates took advantage of the fair and registered themselves for the Job Fair. 35 Companies participated in the job fair from various parts of the country. They were from BPO, Manufacturing , Pharmaceuticals, Textile, Construction and Security Guard. Administration facilitated between the job seekers and the job givers. The idea was to expose the candidates to the changing needs of the job market and improve their knowledge about all aspects of job market. Totally 8092 candidates were offered jobs by the visiting 35 companies spreading over two days. The highlight being WIPRO and GENPACT selecting few candidates.

      In addition to this efforts are also being made to send tribal youth in Army and other paramilitary forces. Recently 100 candidates were given orientation for seven days about the selection procedure in Army. Twenty-five of them got selected subsequently in Army recruitment rally. Now also around 305 candidates will be trained from 21st March so that they can face recruitment drives for CRPF, BSF, ITBP confidently in near future