Mamata Banerjee on Monday announced the West Bengal Students’ Internship Scheme 2022 in which 6,000 graduates and those who passed out of technical institutes like ITIs and polytechnics would be deputed on an annual internship in government offices every year for a monthly remuneration of Rs 5,000.

“West Bengal government announces the launch of West Bengal Students’ Internship Scheme-2022. Those who live in Bengal and completed their undergraduate studies, including polytechnic, ITI or equivalent courses with at least 60 per cent marks and aged below 40 years would be eligible to apply (for internship). The government will take 6,000 interns every year and they would be given remuneration of Rs 5,000,” the chief minister said at Nabanna after a cabinet meeting.

After introducing students’ credit cards, the announcement of internship for students comes at a time when Opposition parties have been attacking the government on the issue of unemployment and government offices have been facing a shortage of ground-level staff for few years.

Officials said though it was an annual internship scheme, Mamata clarified that depending on their performance, interns could get extension for another year. They said the scheme would have a double-way benefit for the government — it will provide relief to unemployed youths and meet the shortage of staff in government offices.

“First, the internship will be for a year. Extension will be given to those who will perform well. The students will apply online and there will be a selection board to select the eligible candidates. Those who will not get a chance this year can prepare themselves for next year,” said Mamata, adding a team under the supervision of chief secretary H.K. Dwivedi would look after the entire process.

Giving a brief idea of the role of interns, Mamata said they would be trained to introduce government schemes at the grassroots level.

“After completion of a year of internship, the students will get a certificate with appropriate ranking or grade that will help them in further studies as well as in employment in government and private sectors,” she said.

A senior state government official, however, said “details of internship, including their mode of work, has not been cleared so far. But it has been decided that the interns will help run government schemes on the ground”.

Sources said at least 20-30 per cent posts in various government offices were vacant

A section of officials doubted whether they would be able to involve interns in government work. “The government should bring a special notification to involve interns in administrative work. We can’t involve them in official work, particularly when it comes to dealing with confidential files,” said a senior official.

The official said Mamata Banerjee government had deployed thousands of youths as civic volunteers in police stations but helping in ground policing and getting involved in administrative work were two very different things.

Differing with the official, another senior officer said: “Civic volunteers have become an integral part of the policing system in both districts and cities. Similarly, the interns will help us to depute them to supervise the implementation of government schemes.”