The forest wing of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration has taken the initiative to train youths of Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts so that they can find ways of self-employment.

Anit Thapa, the chief executive of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, on Wednesday inaugurated a 10-day training schedule at a venue in Salbari on the outskirts of Siliguri.

“One cannot depend all the time on the government to get jobs. People should explore options to become self-employed. That is why we are organising this training so that the youths can have the skills to take up different tasks,” said GTA chief executive Thapa after inaugurating the event.

S.P. Sharma, the chief public relations officer of the GTA, said that 150 boys and girls from Darjeeling and Kalimpong district had joined the 10- day training session.

They would be provided with basic training on computer repair, beautician skills, hospitality management, handicrafts and handloom.

“We also have plans to conduct training programmes by engaging other departments of the GTA in due course,” added Sharma.

Cannabis haul

New Jalpaiguri police seized 30 kilos of cannabis on Tuesday. Two persons, Krishna Das of Bakrivita and Tarakeswar Nath of Bhola More, have been arrested in this connection.