The possibility of creating sustainable employment and income generating avenues in agriculture, horticulture and animal and sheep husbandry were discussed during the meetings, official sources said.

Skill development initiatives and IT-based initiatives for improving employment prospects for youths from the state were also discussed, they said. Secretary, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, K P Krishnan, Joint Secretary in PMO Sanjay Mitra and Joint Secretary in Union Home Ministrt K Sikandan were part of the central team which held talks with the state officials at Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre here.

The state governemnt was represented by Principal Secretary Planning Khursheed Ahmad Ganai, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister B B Vyas, Secretary Labour and Employment F A Peer, Director Employment Shafaat Noor and heads of various departments.

Four representatives of local entreprenuers also took part in day-long deliberations.
The exercise was intended to make an impact on state's employment scenario by opening up opportunities for the youth and also to raise their efficiency level to enable them to compete in the open job market, the sources said.