Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal said the total number of unemployed youths in the state was 9,57,811.He stated this in the state assembly while replying to question raised by Mr Charanjit Singh Channi (Ind) during the Question Hour. He said as per a survey, the number of unemployed youths aged from 16 years to 25 years was 5,89,137 and aged from 26 years to 40 years was 3,68,674.

He said that the government of Punjab was tackling the issue of unemployment very seriously. A separate department of Employment Generation adn Training had been created to tackle this problem and make unemployed capable to meet the demand of employment. Efforts were made in this regard through Vocational Training, Vocation Counciling and Vocational Guidance. Appropriate policies were being pursued to improve the employment opportunities.

Skill development for different vocations was being provided, youths of the state were being trained for recruitment in Army, paramilitary forces and industries. Mr Badal said that Maharaja Ranjeet Singh Academy had been established at Mohali to train youths for joining Army as officers.