Taking a leap forward for emerging the state a hub of ‘Skilled manpower’ through product and process innovation, the upcoming state-of-the art "Multi Skill Development Center" at Ludhiana would be made functional from Baisakhi (April) 2015. This center is coming up at the vacant premises of ‘Knitwear Facility’, managed and run by Punjab State Hosiery and Knitwear Development Corporation, here at local Industrial Focal Point Phase V.A high-level review meeting of this project was held today at Punjab Agricultural University, which was chaired by CM Mr Parkash Singh Badal and attended by members of the society constituted for running this center. This society is headed by Mr Pankaj Munjal, and includes Ms. Sandeep Minni Riat, SP Oswal, Upkar Singh, Mr. SC Ralhan, Mr. Avtar Singh and Deputy Commissioner Ludhiana.
During the meeting, Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal impressed upon the local industrialists to play a pro-active role in the promotion of Skill training centers across the state with a twin objective to cater the local needs of industry by providing it skilled manpower on one hand and opening new vistas of employment for the youth on the other.
Assuring fulsome support and cooperation to the industrialists for executing and managing this ambitious project, the Chief Minister said that the entire capital cost of restructuring and renovating the existing infrastructure at the Knitwear facility would be borne by the state government and the Committee comprising of eminent industrialists would manage the affairs of this upcoming Multi skill center. The CM said that once the project took off the running expenses for managing the day-to-day affairs would be equally shared by the state government and society.
Mr Pankaj Munjal from Hero Cycles updated the Chief Minister about this center through a power point presentation. He said that the they were hopeful that the approval of draft regarding this center would be ready by October 1, 2014, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would be signed with the state government by October 8, 2014, the in-principle sanction of grant from state government by October 15, 2014, final sanction and disbursal of grant from state government by November 1, 2014 and if everything goes as planned, the center would be ready by March 2015.
The Chief Minister said that this Multi skill center would impart training to over 2,000 unemployed youth, including girls, particularly to encompass the major section of drop outs who left studies midway after tenth or twelfth due to economic hardships. He also mentioned that every year as many as 15 courses in Bicycle/cycle parts, textile, apparel and garments, auto components, hand tools and light engineering industry besides in service sector including Hospitality, retail, healthcare and others would be taken up in this multi skill center.
Mr Munjal further informed that the total cost of the project would be around Rs 14.8 crore, out of which Rs 7.80 crore would be spent on the renovation of the building, Rs 5 crore on machines and equipment, Rs 2 crore on working capital. He further said that several top industrialists of the country have agreed to join them for the smooth operations of state-of-the art "Multi Skill Development Center" at Ludhiana. He said that the courses would be of three-month duration, and more than 2,000 students would be imparted training every year.
While speaking to media persons after the first review meeting, the Chief Minister said that three para medical skill centers would be soon opened in the state at Faridkot, Amritsar and Patiala to give boost to Medical skill training in the state adding that even the upcoming Rehabilitation centers for drug addicts would also focus on providing skill training to the youth for gainful self employment. Likewise, Mr. Badal also said that Skill centers were also being opened in Jails across the state to impart skill training to the inmates.
Replying to a query related to upcoming Haryana Vidhan Sabha elections where the Shiromani Akali Dal is supporting Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), the Chief Minister said that their relations were very cordial and intimate and these would not get strained in any case. "The BJP high command has already been apprised that the Shiromani Akali Dal would support INLD in Haryana as our party too supported the INLD even during the recent Lok Sabha elections," said the Chief Minister.
When asked about the killing of two youth by cops in Jamalpur area, here yesterday, the CM said that the Deputy Commissioner Ludhiana has also been asked to investigate the matter and submit a report.
Prominent amongst those who attended the meeting included Advisor to Chief Minister Mr. Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, former minister Mr. Hira Singh Gabria, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. KJS Cheema, Secretary cum Director Industries Mr. Raminder Singh, ADC Mr Supreet Singh Gulati, Police Commissioner Mr Promod Ban, besides several others. The Industry was represented by Mr. Pankaj Munjal, Mr D L Sharma, Mr Avtar Singh, Mr Charanjit Singh Vishwakarma, Mr S C Ralhan, besides others.