Badal lays foundation stone of Institute of Hotel Management

Bathinda, Apr 30 (UNI) Punjab would soon emerge as a pioneer state in the hotel management, tourism and civil aviation sector, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said today.

Speaking after laying the foundation stone of the Rs 10 crore State Institute of Hotel Management (SIHM) here, he said the setting up of the institute was a step in this direction.

He said that following the concerted efforts of SAD-BJP Government, the Union Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned this prestigious institute to impart training to youth in the hotel management and catering technology.

The Chief Minster said that the state government would accord top priority to training the youth for employment in various spheres, like hotel management, civil aviation, Information Technology etc.

The government has also laid emphasis on short-term skill training for our youth in the private security sector, he said, adding that skill and job-oriented professional education was the need of the hour.

Referring to the national scenario of hospitality industry, Mr Badal said that there was a great demand for manpower in this industry.

Mr Badal said the institute would follow norms prescribed by the National Council for Hotel Management. It has been estimated that the hotel industry in Punjab and neighboring states would absorb over 15000 trained personnel between 2007 and 2010, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal, MP, said that the upcoming Bathinda Refinery and the International Cricket Stadium would certainly give a fillip to the hotel industry in the region.

UNI VKJ BP2059