Congress MP hits out at PM Internship Scheme, demands genuine skills focus

A Congress Member of Parliament has launched a sharp attack on the Prime Minister's Internship Scheme, contending that the initiative falls short of delivering authentic skill-building opportunities for young Indians. Manickam Tagore accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party of appropriating the Congress party's 'Pehli Naukri Pakki' election pledge without grasping its core principles and implementation framework.

Tagore's criticism centers on the government's misinterpretation of the original concept, which he argued was designed with comprehensive skill development as its foundation. According to the Congress leader, the current scheme lacks the depth and structural integrity necessary to equip youth with marketable, industry-relevant competencies.

The dispute underscores a broader political disagreement over employment initiatives targeting India's vast youth population. While the government has promoted its internship scheme as a major step toward addressing joblessness and enhancing employability, opposition voices have questioned whether the programme delivers tangible, long-term benefits or merely provides short-term engagement without meaningful career advancement.

Tagore's remarks reflect growing scrutiny of the scheme's design and execution, with critics arguing that internships without robust skill-transfer components risk leaving participants without substantial professional gains. The Congress MP's intervention adds to an ongoing debate about the most effective policy approaches for youth employment in India's competitive job market.