Skill development pgm allocation to be increased to Rs 15,000 cr

New Delhi, Sep 16 (UNI) Stating that funds would not be a constraint, Finance Minister P Chidambaram today said the government plans to substantially raise the allocation of skill development initiative from Rs 1,000 crore to Rs 15,000 crore in the next few years.

Addressing the Board meeting of National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), Mr Chidambaram said an amount of Rs 1,000 crore had been allocated in the Budget for the programme. However, the government plans to increase this to Rs 15,000 crores in the next few years.

He emphasised the need to deliver skilled manpower of reasonable magnitude and quality within a short timeframe.

Mr Chidambaram advised the Board to establish and operationalise skill development institutes in all major regions of the country by March 31, 2009 as a quick start. This should be followed by a comprehensive programme with wide coverage throughout the country.

The programme should not only aim to bridge the emerging skill gaps in the Indian economy but should also cater to the demand on account of worldwide skill shortages.

He stated that a challenge had been posed to the private sector and while the involvement of Government in the running of the Company would be light and minimal, it was imperative that the private sector delivered early visible results in producing skilled workers as per the needs of the economy.

The Chairman of the Board made a presentation on the possible strategies for addressing the demand supply gap in the requirement of skilled manpower for various sectors and identified the fundamental problems in this regard which would have to be addressed while finalising the strategies of the Company.

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