May 1: An obvious hope for one of the crucial necessities of life reflected on their faces. In the jam-packed hall of Shiv Sena Bhavan at Dadar today, not only unemployed youth but worried fathers and mothers also bought a chance of employment at Rs 10 from the Shiv Udyog Sena (SUS).

The occasion was the first day of distribution of forms (Rs 10 each) by the SUS, formed by Raj Thackeray last year to generate employment opportunities. He and Uddhav Thackeray inaugurated the occasion at around 10 a.m. and the security guards had to close the doors by 11 a.m. to control the flood of youth. There were a number of women present, too.

Asked if he was sure of providing jobs to all the applicants there, Raj said it was too early to comment.

``Let them fill the application forms. We have set a procedure to scrutinise the forms. We will categorise the applications and tally them with the employment opportunities known to us after which we will know if we are in a position to provide employment to all of them.

"This is really a primary stage of the whole process,'' he said.

Raj revealed that a computer network was established throughout the state to speed up the procedure. Computers at the Shiv Sena's district shakhas were connected to the the party head office at Dadar. About 15 people will be handling the applications and coordinate between the shakhas, he said.

Raj added that the SUS will concentrate more on generating self-employment than on salaried jobs.

To help an applicant set up his own business, the SUS, he said, would go to the extent of preparing a project report, approach banks and even carry out the marketing of the product.

Raj and Uddhav left around 11 a.m. for Nashik, where they were scheduled to inaugurate another form-distribution centre. The crowd which was listening to them patiently immediately rushed to the distribution counters and Shiv Sainiks had to stop issuing the forms for some time as order was being restored.

Asked if she was sure of getting a job through the SUS, Manju Revankar replied that she would take a chance. ``I am not relying on them entirely. I will be happy if they find a nice job for me,'' she said.

Pratibha Bhosle wanted the SUS to find her a job better than her present one. ``I am sure I will get one,'' she said.

An elderly man had a different reason for being there. He said his son was busy with Sena activities and did not want a job. ``I want the Shiv Sena to find my son a job. At least then he won't dare to refuse it,'' he said sharply.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.