Punjab today launched a scheme to extend an ‘employment allowance’ to students for undergoing vocational training.

The ‘Maharaja Ranjit Singh Professional Skill Scheme’ will provide assistance of Rs 1,000 a month to students pursuing higher vocational or technical education for durations of three/six months or one year, an official spokesperson said here.

Students between 17 and 30 years of age whose annual family income is less than Rs 1.5 lakh may claim the allowance, the spokesperson added.

He said that the payment under the scheme would be directly credited through the Electronic Service Delivery facility to the account of the institute where the beneficiary is obtaining training.