Meghalaya faces deficit of 67,500 jobs in government sector, says CM

Meghalaya is facing a deficit of 67,500 jobs in the government sector, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma informed the assembly on Tuesday.
Intervening during the Question Hour on the second day of the Autumn assembly session, Sangma said that approximately 70,000 youth are eligible to join the workforce every year, but the government can only provide around 2,000-2,500 jobs annually.
He informed that there are 7000 vacancies in the government sector for which recruitment process is going on.
“There is a deficit of around 67,500 jobs in the government sector, which is why the government is coming up with a holistic plan to cater to the 70,000 youth eligible to join the workforce,” Sangma infomed.
The Chief Minister said that his government is coming up with a “holistic plan” to address the issue and a career counselling programme is part of this larger plan, which aims to provide guidance and support to youth in 25 identified domains that included defence services, banking, engineering, and more.
Moreover, Sangma informed that his government has mapped out job opportunities in various sectors as part of its Vision 2030.
“The government has identified the kind of job opportunities expected in each sector and the investment required to achieve these goals,” he said.
“The tourism sector is expected to create around 54,000 jobs, driven by the anticipated growth of five-star hotels and the increasing demand for drivers and other support staff,” the Chief Minister said.
In order to address the unemployment problem, Sangma said that the government has partnered with Meghalaya State Skill Development Society (MSSDS) to provide career counselling to youth, with a rough idea of the jobs required by the state in the next 10 years.
He said the career counselling programme is a structured approach, with the MSSDS acting as the nodal agency. This initiative aims to equip youth with the necessary skills and knowledge to take advantage of emerging job opportunities.
“The programme will be implemented through 34 counselling centres, where trained career advisers will provide guidance and counselling to youth,” Sangma told the assembly.
Appreciating the initiative of the government, Leader of Opposition Dr. Mukul Manda Sangma however emphasised the need for handholding in preparation for specific jobs, particularly in defence and army services.
To this, the Chief Minister assured that the programme is designed to address these needs and provide youth with the necessary guidance and support.