Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh after laying foundation stone of Rs 40 crore 'Centre of Excellence' of Kaushal Vikas Nigam at Anandpur in Shimla rural assembly segment near Tara Devi today said that the Centre would be a boon for the unemployed youth and provide them a platform for undertaking training as per requirement of industrial houses. He said that renowned industrial houses would assist in training unemployed persons as per their need and thereafter to be employed by the same units.The Centre of Excellence will be opened under the ambitious Asian Development Bank funded Rs 640 crore project of Himachal Pradesh Kaushal Vikas Nigam (HPKVN). The Nigam has set a target to introduce flagship training program and employment support to 65000 youth of the state during coming next five years. The objective of this project is to empower all individuals of the state between the ages of 15 to 45 years and to enhance learning and lifelong employment opportunities so as to increase the productive wage force of the state. It will accelerate the economic growth of Himachal Pradesh and India as well as bridge its skill deficit.
Government of Himachal Pradesh is committed to provide equal opportunities to marginalized section of society in order to promote social equity and ensure that the benefits of the scheme reaches to one and all, he said. The Chief Minister said that as a part of the equality of opportunity measure, special reservation opportunity would be extended taking in consideration caste, economic status and gender. The scheme aims at holistic improvement of the community in Himachal Pradesh through this unique initiative.He said that the centre would help the students of polytechnic college by offering short term courses and will provide an opportunity to enhance their skills."I want Himachal to become a model of Skill development in the Country", said Virbhadra.Later while addressing gathering at Kot, in Gram Panchayat Kot, he also announced starting of science and commerce classes in Government Senior Secondary School, Kot in GP Kot.The Chief Minister also inaugurated Rs 25 lakh Lift Water Supply Scheme (LWSS) for Madak Devi temple in Gram Panchayat, Kot and inaugurated LWSS Dograpul-Bhaad- Dhanawal-Dochi completed with a cost of Rs. 28 lakh. The Chief Minister also announced setting up Block Level resource Centre under the Kaushal Nigam at Jubbarhatti. He also inspected the ongoing renovation work of Mata Tara Devi temple and directed to complete the work soon. He also paid obeisance at the temple and performed prayers. State Youth Congress president and Director, BoD of Kaushal Vikas Nigam, Shri Vikramaditya Singh, Managing Director, HPKVN, Shri Rajesh Sharma, were also present on the occasion amongst others senior officers.