The employment exchange office in Ghaziabad is witnessing a heavy rush these days. Unemployed people of all age group are thronging the employment office to get their names registered. It will give them an allowance of Rs 000 per month as announced by Samajwadi Party in its election manifesto.
According to officials, around 1,500 registrations are being done in a day. A few months ago, the number was just 15-20. People, who are applying for registration, include men and women above 35 years of age. There are cases where people in their 70s are applying for the allowance.
"A couple of days back, an illiterate woman in her 70s asked for a registration from. We asked her to apply for pension-scheme instead. But she was adamant on registering herself as an unemployed," said Arshad Ali, district employment officer.
One can easily find people in their 40s and 50s at the employment office. "I am unemployed. Recently, I heard that the government has announced R1,000 allowance for the unemployed. So I decided to register myself," said Kailash Chand Pandey, 51.
Even housewives don't want to miss a chance for the registration. A woman in her early 40s, Sharda Devi, said, "I have come here for registration after I heard about the unemployment allowance. My husband passed away a few years ago. This amount will be very helpful to me."
{{/usCountry}}Even housewives don't want to miss a chance for the registration. A woman in her early 40s, Sharda Devi, said, "I have come here for registration after I heard about the unemployment allowance. My husband passed away a few years ago. This amount will be very helpful to me."
{{/usCountry}}Ali said that only a few people in the age group of 30-40 years used to apply earlier.
"But after the announcement of allowance, the number has suddenly increased by around 60%. We are working overtime as late as three hours beyond our official timings to clear the massive rush at our office," said Ali.