'Assam on track to achieve its goal of building skilled manpower'

Guwahati: Assuring Union minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy that Assam was on track to achieve its goal of building skilled manpower, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Friday said his government was "earnestly pursuing" the skill development plan for the state.

At a meeting with the Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship here, Sonowal apprised him of the status of the recently-opened Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra (PMKK) in Guwahati among others.

Rudy underlined the need for structuring of the Directorate of Skill Development in the state and asked for submission of the state's plan for the Skill Development Mission, assuring a "100 per cent support" of the Centre for the same.

To the Union minister's request for a 10-acre land on lease for setting up a drivers' training centre in the state, Sonowal assured him of providing land of Assam State Transport Corporation for setting up such centres all over the state.

An MoU in this regard would be signed between the state and the Centre for jointly operating these centres.

Sonowal told Rudy that 10 buildings constructed by the Industries Department would be handed over to the Skill Development Ministry which would be turned into state-of-the-art skilling centres.

Rudy said 'job melas' for entry-level jobs would be organised shortly in the state which would give a "huge fillip" to the employment scenario.

The chief minister advocated a "synergising approach" between the government and corporate houses wherein, the government would impart skill development training to the youth and the corporate houses would absorb them in various vocations.

Stating that PMKKs would be opened in all the districts of the state in a phased manner and the respective MPs would be entrusted with the task of monitoring the functioning of these centres, Rudy said the funds for the same would be entirely provided by the Centre.

Appreciating the state government under the leadership of Sonowal for taking swift action to implement the Skill Development Mission, the Union minister said setting up of the Skill Development Department by the state government was a step in the right direction.