Picture by UB Photos
Guwahati: Assam minister for skill, employment and entrepreneurship Chandra Mohan Patowary announced skill training and financial assistance to 18,000 ex-militants under the Swabalamban scheme of the Assam Skill Development Mission (ASDM).
Patowary said this while inaugurating the new ASDM office building at Katahbari here on Tuesday.
The Swabalamban scheme was launched by the Assam government for self-employment of the surrendered militants of the state. The assisted beneficiaries can take up different activities in the primary, secondary and tertiary sectors with financial help provided both by the government and institutions like bank loans with reduced rate of interest.
Patowary said, "We will provide three months' skill training for 18,000 ex-militants and financial assistance to set up their own units. The police department will provide the lists of the ex-militants. A sum of Rs 1 lakh financial assistance per beneficiary will be provided. Our government is providing 20 per cent subsidy, Rs 25,000 has to be put up by the beneficiary and Rs 50,000 will be given by the bank as loan. The applicant should be minimum class VIII passed."
"At present, there are 369 skill development centres imparting training to 150 different trades operating in the state and the target is to skill 1.5 lakh youths in this financial year. Two jute mills will be set up soon and sugar mills are also on the anvil. We are providing entrepreneur loans under the scheme where Rs 1 lakh will be given to new entrepreneurs and Rs 2 lakh to those with existing units for extension. Commencing from December, 400 students will be trained every year in three areas namely retail, tourism and hospitality, and beauty and wellness. Altogether 30 teachers who were trained in Singapore will impart the training here. Faculty from Singapore will also visit the campus to train the students."
ASDM director Anand Prakash Tewari said 11 MoUs were signed with advanced training institutes at the skill symposium, held as part of the skill conclave, to skill and deploy the students in various industries upon completion of the training programme.
Dakshata Awards for best training centre, best engineering college, best ITI, best polytechnic, best learner, best trainer and best official were given out in the presence of chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday evening, the opening day of the skill conclave 2018.
Patowary inaugurated the new office complex of ASDM at Katahbari, opposite Inter-State Bus Terminus, on National Highway 37 here on Tuesday. The six-storied glass-front office building, with modern facilities, wears a swanky look. It is expected to provide an impetus to the skill development mission in the state.