The Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Mr. Rajiv Pratap Rudy today announced a big bonanza for the industrial giant city Ludhiana and said that 2 international level multi skill development centers would soon be established in the city which would result in trained and expert workforce for the big industrial concerns around the globe ensuring employment for the scores of youth. Besides this, the rural belt of Punjab would see the opening of 1000 skill development centers in the next 2 years.Addressing a large gathering at Government Industrial Training Institute (I.T.I.) after inaugurating the multi skill development center, the Union minister said that the stupendous efforts of the Punjab government in industrial progress and skill enhancement of the youth has brought the state far ahead of other states. Elaborating more, he said that whereas the Union government has started ‘Make In India’ campaign to uplift the industrial scenario in the country, the Punjab government has also commenced ‘Makers In Punjab’ campaign which is commendable.The Union minister also assured assistance from the Union Government for the efforts being made by the state government in this regard under which 2 world standard multi skill development centers ‘International Skill Development Center’ and ‘Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Kendar’ would be opened in Ludhiana.
Divulging more, Mr. Rudy said that a total of 50 international level skill development centers are in the offing out of which one would be in Ludhiana. The youth trained in such center would not need any other certification to attain jobs in country or abroad. Apart from this, the ‘Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Kendar’ would also provide top class professional training to the youth. He also had a word of appreciation for the automated driving test track centers in the state.Addressing the gathering, the Punjab Deputy Chief Minister, S. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that today 5 multi skill development centers and 200 rural skill development centers have been operationalized in the state including Ludhiana which is a revolutionary step in making Punjab no. 1 in terms of professional education. He disclosed that these centers would provide skill enhancing training to 1 lakh youth in a year. He announced that in next 2 years another 1000 rural skill development centers would commence operations where 5 lakh youth would get professional training. He also informed that the trained youth would be given free toolkit and subsidized loans to help in starting their own ventures. Detailing further, S. Badal said that it is the vision of the state government to open a skill development center after every 10 villages. Not only this, but the proposal for establishing a skill university in the state would be okayed in the cabinet meeting scheduled on 15th November. He said that plans are afoot to change the face of Ludhiana during the course of future which would accrue the cost of Rs. 4000 crore.
Castigating Congress, the Deputy Chief Minister said that this party is indulging in mere theatrics with the announcement of rallies on the SYL issue but the people of Punjab know that then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and congress leaders were responsible for taking steps to construct the canal and they should be ashamed of their role. On the issue of Rajasthan demanding water from Punjab, he made it clear that not even a single drop would be given to any other state.Interacting with the media-persons, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the list of SAD candidates for assembly polls would be out in next 3 days. Challenging the silence of AAP Convenor Arvind Kejriwal on the SYL issue, he asked the AAP leader to spell out his clear stand on the matter. He said that kejriwal has amassed huge amount of black money to fight the assembly polls.On the occasion, Cabinet Minister Madan Mohan Mittal, Ex- Minister and Chairman District Planning Board Hira Singh Gabria, President of Centurion University Prof. Mukti Kanta Mishra and District BJP President Ravinder Arora also addressed the gathering. Among those present were MLA Ranjit Singh Dhillon, Vice-Chairman Punjab Traders Board Madan Lal Bagga, Chairman Ramgarhia Welfare Board Gurmeet Singh Kular, Additional Principal Secretary M.P. Singh, Secretary Technical Education Department R.K. Verma, DC Ravi Bhagat and Police Commissioner Jatinder Singh Aulakh.