Not enough jobs for all the competent graduates of the State, says Minister

Palanivel Thiagarajan, Minister for Information Technology and Digital Services distributes certificate to a student at Startup Thiruvizha event in Madurai on Sunday. Photo: Ashok R / The Hindu
| Photo Credit: ASHOK R

“We have to create more job opportunities to match the number of graduates we produce in our State,” said Minister for Information Technology and Digital Services Palanivel Thiaga Rajan.  

Speaking at the Startup Thiruvizha at Tamukkam grounds here on Sunday, he said Tamil Nadu was churning out about 20% of India’s engineering and diploma graduates every year.   Though these people get jobs in the Information Technology sector or any white-collar job, only 15% of the national workforce remains in the State.  

“Though we have a talented workforce, only 11% of the total investments in the IT sector in the national level come into Tamil Nadu,” Mr. Palanivel Thiaga Rajan said.  

As the Dravidian model of governance has facilitated a conducive environment for education to thrive and many students excel in their studies, there are not enough companies to absorb them all. “Initiatives like StartupTN can bridge the gap by getting support for entrepreneurs and thereby make them create more jobs,” he said.  

Through supporting investments such as venture capital fund provided in general and through SC/ST department, many new businesses have cropped up in the State in the last three years, he said.  

“The government can only help, but the actual work, motivation and courage and should come from the talents who aspire to make it big with their start-ups,” he added.  

Priya Babu of Transgender Resource Centre, speaking on ‘Inclusion entrepreneurship; at the event, said the major reason for many transpersons staying away from potential business opportunities was due to the transphobia on the minds of the people.  The prejudice with which they were approached was a demotivation factor for people who were already struggling for a decent livelihood, she said.  

“Many transpersons with good ideas are unaware of the government support they could get for their business ventures. With the fear of getting rejected or insulted, many just stay away from even making such efforts,” she said.  

“But, through my organisation, I lend support to the transgender people to carry forward a great idea and make it a wholesome project, she added.  

“By one such effort, we have planned to start a sweet shop with only savouries made of millets. Though this is a baby step, it is a necessary step for our future growth,” she said.  

It is good news that State government is planning to allocate ₹50 lakh for helping transpersons start businesses ventures, Ms. Babu said.