The Government on Thursday approved a special skill, empowerment and employment generation programme to cover one lakh youth in Jammu and Kashmir. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs presided by the Prime Minister on Thursday gave the nod to the scheme which would commence from June this year. ‘Under this scheme the first placements are likely to take place by October and in the first year of implementation over 15,000 youth will receive training for salaried and self employment jobs. An official press release said that the scheme to be implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development would cost 235 crore rupees. ‘The CCEA also approved the Asian Development Bank assisted North-Eastern States Road Investment programme under which a total of 433 kilometers of roads in six North Eastern States will be constructed and upgraded at a cost of over 1353 crore rupees over a period of 5 years. ‘The Cabinet Committee also gave its approval for installation of a 1000 megawatt lignite based thermal power project at Neyveli at a cost of 5907 crore rupees. The power generated from this project will be shared by the States in the Southern region.”’Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said that the new skill, empowerment and employment generation programme approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs will greatly benefit the youth of Jammu and Kashmir. Talking exclusively to All India Radio Mr Deshmukh said that under the scheme, priority will be given to the youth below poverty line. The Minister added that the scheme which is to be implemented immediately, will train the youth to get employment throughout the country. Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has welcomed the skill empowerment and employment scheme for the youth of Jammu and Kashmir. Talking exclusively to All India Radio Mr Azad said the scheme benefits both rural and urban youth living below the Poverty line and also those above it.