The Indian Youth Congress (IYC) here on Thursday launched a nationwide campaign to highlight rising unemployment, give a voice to young Indians, and also sought a national register of unemployed (NRU).

The campaign was launched by Krishna Allavaru, in-charge of the IYC, and IYC chief Srinivas B.V.

Saying it in a slogan '45 saalon main pehli baar, desh main sabse zyada berozgaar' (the largest unemployment in 45 years), Srinivas said the NRU's formation was being demanded as joblessness had reached 45-year highs. The NRU would help launch a conversation about unemployment, he said.

"The IYC will reach out to every unemployed. To prepare the data base, a phone number (8151994411) has been circulated on which one can give a missed call," said Aravulu.

The data base would reflect the true number of unemployeds due to the government's inept and incompetent policies in the country, the Congress leader said.

Claiming to be quoting the Centre For Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) data, IYC spokesperson Priyadarshini Mahara said one in four graduates could not find job. "Of the 7.5 per cent unemployment rate, joblessness was 9 per cent in urban India and 6.8 per cent in rural areas. The overall unemployment among women is 17.5 per cent."

"Six years ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised 2 crore jobs a year. But to-date no true data has been released. Our effort will help demolish the exaggerated claims of growth and development, propagated by the government," said Amish Ranjan Pandey, IYC National Media Coordinator.