Job creation to beat demontisation effect

Kolkata, Dec 4 : In a bid to nullify demonetisation effect on employment generation, the West Bengal government plans to launch another batch of 5,000 cars under the Gatidhara project by March 2017 to stimulate local employment, an official said on Saturday.

"Another batch of 5,000 cars under the Gatidhara project will hit the road by March 2017 - something which could serve as a stimulus for as many men and women, and their families, in these times of demonetisation," said state's Transport Secretary, Alapan Bandyopadhyay.

Under the project, the state government offers financial help to unemployed persons aged between 20 and 45 to buy "small vehicles" for transport business.

The state government has set up a task force which will meet all stakeholders to build a roadmap on how to face the challenges posed by demonetisation, and also discuss how to transform crises into opportunities, Bandyopadhyay said at an event organised by business chamber CII.

"Transport as a business proposition has remained under-emphasised," he added.