Meghalaya faces job deficit: 70,000 eligible youth compete for 2,500 government positions annually

Shillong: About 70,000 youth in Meghalaya are eligible to join the work-force every year, out of which not more than 2500 jobs can be provided in the govt sector, which leaves an annual job deficiency of 67,500 jobs in the state, chief minister Conrad K Sangma said in the assembly on the second day of the budget session on Tuesday.Addressing concerns raised by opposition members during question hour regarding employment opportunities in the state, the CM said govt has mapped every department, including the requirement for investment for creation of jobs.The tourism sector alone can provide around 54,000 jobs in the next eight years, he said. The govt has identified 25 domains, in which skill training is being provided to the youth, he told the house.The CM underscored that the private sector has to play a “very crucial role” in regard to creation of job spaces in the state.Agreeing with leader of opposition Dr Mukul Sangma, Sangma said there were employment opportunities in the defence, health, IT, engineering, sports and other sectors and state govt was pursuing the matter.