Cuttack: With the Netaji Bus Terminal slated to be inaugurated at Cuttack on September 16, a large number of locals staged a demonstration in the city on Sunday alleging lack of employment opportunities for the youths of the area at the new site.
Accusing the administration of being apathetic towards the jobless youths, the slogan shouting protesters holding banners and placards blocked the busy Badambadi-Khannagar road in the city.
Stating that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is scheduled to inaugurate the new Netaji Bus Terminal on September 16, they said bus terminal with state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities is supposed to provide major employment opportunities.
The demonstrators claimed that a Delhi-based service provider is engaging people and it has already completed the recruitment process. Every organisation has CSR activity and there is provision to provide employment to locals, they said.
Stating that there are many unemployed youths in local areas, the protesters said the locals can be employed in housekeeping, sweepers, and other works. However, no advertisement has so far been issued for jobs, they lamented.
While welcoming the new bus terminal, the demonstrators demanded employment for youths of at least five localities in the city.
It may be recalled that local residents had earlier gheraoed Cuttack Mayor and local MLA during their visit to the Bus Terminal ahead of its inauguration.