HYDERABAD(india), March 22012: In a bid to stay ahead in the race for competitive populism, the Kiran Kumar Reddy government in Andhra Pradesh is planning to provide unemployment dole to jobless youth in the state.The scheme, according to official sources, is at a conceptual stage and the modalities are yet to be worked out. The chief minister, credited with initiating his own brand of populism, is said to be actively considering the idea of unemployment dole to attract the youth. The scheme envisages payment of a monthly dole ranging from Rs500 to Rs1,000 to the unemployed youth depending on their educational qualifications. At present, the Goa government is implementing the policy of unemployment dole under which the youth, registered with the state employment exchange, will receive a maximum Rs1,200 per month for a three-year period. AP is planning to emulate this model, the sources said. The scheme, if implemented effectively, would help in weaning the youth away from the Telangana statehood agitation. “The proposal under consideration provides for unemployment allowance of Rs500 for those who have completed schooling, Rs.750 for those who have cleared XII standard or equivalent qualification. Graduates and other professionally qualified are likely to be paid Rs1,000 a month,” the sources said. The move is seen in political circles as yet another attempt by Kiran Kumar Reddy to leave a distinct stamp on the state administration and establish himself as a populist leader in the mould of former Chief Minister late Y S Rajasekhar Reddy.
