Picture used for illustrative purpose only.

Union Minister Santosh Gangwar stirred major controversy on Sunday when he blamed the North Indian youth for failing to secure jobs as he dismissed criticism about the current employment situation in the country.

The minister present at an event here said that there was no shortage of jobs but the companies wishing to recruit say that the youths here were ineligible.

The Minister of Independent charge for Ministry of Labour and Employment said that there was a lot of employment available. Apart from the employment offices, his ministry has also been monitoring the situation.

He said that the matter of recession was being misunderstood in the country.

Targeting former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan, Gangwar said the former is scared but none will be spared.

Referring to Khan, he said he will explain to the people of Rampur the kind of person the constituency has chosen and sent to Parliament. It is a matter of misfortune for them too, he added..

The Samajwadi Party president hit back at Santosh Gangwar saying the minister was adding insult to injury and his statement on unemployment was "insensitive and cruel" towards the youth.

Congress leader Pramod Tiwari also sought an apology from the Modi government for the minister's statement.

"On one hand, people are losing jobs and on the other, new jobs are not being created. Instead of addressing the issues, the minister blames the youth of being incapable of getting jobs," he said.

Indo-Asian News Service