Akhilesh Yadav government launches unemployment allowance scheme

Lucknow: The Akhilesh Yadav government has launched its flagship scheme - the unemployment allowance for youth - at a massive function in Lucknow today. More than ten thousand people were given cheques of Rs.2,000 by the state government. 

The scheme, which assures a monthly allowance of Rs. 1000 to unemployed youth, was one of Samajwadi Party's main poll promises during elections this year. 

Those who are aged between 25 to 40 years are eligible to claim this allowance. The monthly income of the family should be less than 36000 rupees. The allowance will be credited directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries.

While addressing the function today, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav assured that his government will live up to the promises the party made in its manifesto. He said, "After the farmers of the state, it is the youth who continue to suffer the most. It is our duty to help them."

At least five lakh people have already applied under the scheme from across the state. So far only one lakh seven thousand people have made the cut.