Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has announced that the government aims to generate 5 lakh job opportunities through its ‘one lakh enterprises in one year’ project.

He was proclaiming the year 2022-13 as a year for entrepreneurship and inaugurating the initiative.

Rs 120 crore was earmarked in the state budget for the project.

As a part of the project, workshops will be conducted in all local bodies in April and May. Similarly, technically qualified interns will be appointed in April itself to facilitate the application process for the units.

In the first phase of the project, an awareness program for individuals interested in entrepreneurship will be provided. Following that, fairs will be conducted to provide them with loans, financial aid and to get done the formalities like licenses.

CM said that the departments of industries and local self-government will be coordinating the various stages of the project. The event was attended by the respective ministers P Rajeeve and MV Govindan. It was also attended by the minister of cooperation, VN Vasavan.

P Rajeeve presided over the event. MV Govindan unveiled the logo of the initiative and VN Vasavan released the handbook.

MLA VK Prashanth, Mayor Arya Rajendran, Planning Board vice-chairman VK Ramachandran among others delivered the speech.