NASHIK, May 1: Shiv Sena's ambitious programme for the unemployed, ``Shiv Udyog Sena'' (SUS), will set up co-operative credit societies in all the districts of Maharashtra to finance self-employment schemes for the jobless youth.

Inaugurating the north Maharashtra office of SUS here today, its chief Raj Thackeray (nephew of Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray), announced that the SUS would finance Marathi-speaking jobless youths to set up their business, on a priority basis.

He said that non-Marathi jobless youth domiciled in Maharashtra (for over 15 years) would also be rendered financial aid, but the sons of the soil would be preferred. Those seeking employment would have to obtain forms priced at Rs 10 from the SUS while those intending to set up business would be charged Rs 25.

Raj, however, declined to comment on how the SUS would generate funds for helping self-employment schemes, pointing out his plans for raising funds would be `scuttled' by some vested interests to spell doom for the SUS and to malign him.

He further said the jobless youth had been misused by various political parties and that only the Shiv Sena was doing something concrete for them. He said he would consider the SUS as a successful venture even if it could provide employment at least for five lakh youth, as against the Sena promise to provide employment to 27 lakh unemployed youths.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.