Need to bring reforms to arrest Panjab’ youth exodus

The Rising Panjab Bureau

Panjab’s best resource has always been its human resource. It was the hard work of the Punjabis that brought about the Green Revolution and also their indomitable enterprising spirit that made Panjab a hub of small and medium enterprises. 

However, during the last few decades, on both the agriculture and industrial fronts, there have been no major visible efforts by any successive governments in Panjab which could usher in major development. Also, in government sector, there aren’t very many jobs, as even the Panjab government is recruiting new work force on contract basis offering them a meagre salary. 

This has led to decline in dwindling farm income and decline in employment opportunities. 

Compelled by factors such as farming crisis, lack of education opportunities and unemployment, youth of Panjab are migrating to other countries in lure of greener pastures. 

According to a data, during the period from 2016 to February 2021, about 9.84 lakh people moved to other countries from Panjab and Chandigarh (including 3.79 lakh students and over 6 lakh workers). 

Immigration experts say, today the youth is ready to pay huge amounts of money to travel agents to obtain a visa to migrate to overseas either for studies or job. 

Apart from a paucity of job opportunities in the state, students feel that it is the lack of quality education which is compelling youth to migrate. For example, in past, the youth used to go abroad for higher education normally after graduation, but now, the students are leaving on a large scale after completing class XII, with an aim to settle down on foreign soul as early as possible. 

According to experts, the failure of the successive state governments to make Panjab an attractive investment destination and failure of bringing big bang reforms in sectors such as governance, education, employment, healthcare, tourism and skill development acting as a stumbling block in preventing exodus of youth. So, the need of the hour is to address the systemic problems such as: 

Education

The education system should be more progressive, practical, skill oriented so that students do not feel the need to go abroad. The major focus must be given to quality of education by way of accreditation across all institutions. Value based employment friendly and practical approach must be adopted while framing curriculum. Also, there is need to synergize the education sector with manufacturing to create R & D hubs to help the development of new technology and globally competitive. 

Skill Development 

There is huge shortage of skilled workforce in the state especially in sectors such as textiles, food processing, auto components, real estate & construction, IT & ITeS and Retail. So, the need of the hour is to develop quality skilled workforce and entrepreneurs relevant to meet the current and emerging need of the industry.

 Strengthen Start-up ecosystem

 Even small cities in Panjab are witnessing rise of new entrepreneurship. However, the Start-Up system has not been fully exploited in the state and there is a need to explore entrepreneurial ventures for budding startups in various sectors of the state’s economy.

 Access to Capital

 The major problem faced by the businesses in the state is getting access to adequate capital in terms of financing for setting up their industries. So, the need of the hour is to simplify the process of raising capital and provide capital investment subsidy for the businesses.

 Ease of Doing Business

 There is urgent need to improve the ease of doing business scenario in the state in order to encourage the setting up more industries and improve the overall industrial environment in the state. This will help in creating more employment opportunities in the state.

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