Short term training centres for unemployed youth: Kanwaljit

Ludhiana, Jan 16 (UNI) Punjab Cooperation Minister Kanwaljit Singh today said the state Government has chalked out a special plan to provide short term vocational training to the less educated unemployed youth by setting up Skill Development Centers in all parts of the state.

Addressing a gathering at 22nd Jarkhar Sports Festival in Mata Sahib Kaur Sports Stadium at Jarkhar village near here last evening, Capt Singh said that the state Government has set up a separate employment department exclusively to explore the new jobs created with the modernisation of industry in the state.

He said that this wing was also providing assistance and guidance to the youth in getting training in various ventures and getting jobs in the different parts of country and abroad.

Expressing his serious concern over the increasing trend of drug addiction in the rural youth, the Minister exhorted the sports and youth clubs to play an important role in diverting the energies of youth towards sports and other constructive activities.

Welcoming the Pakistani wrestlers participating in the tournament, Capt Singh said that such exchange programmes between the players and other cultural groups would help in improving the understanding among the people of both countries.

He announced a grant of Rs. 1.5 lakh for the Mata Sahib Kaur Sports club, Jarkhar and assured that he would take up the case for setting up an Astro Turf in the Hockey ground at Village Jarkhar keeping in view its excellent achievements for the promotion of the game. He also gave away prizes to the winners of wrestling competitions.

Addressing the function, Mr. Hira Singh Gabria also praised the achievements of the club noting that the Hockey Academy being run by the club had shown excellent results within a short period of one-and-half year.

UNI JN MMS1541