Bhubaneswar, July 19: The state government today decided to name a skill development centre and skill development extension centres as Biju Dakhyata Vikas Kendra (Biju Skill Development Centre) after former chief minister Biju Patnaik. A notification to this effect was issued today.

"We have decided to name the skill development centres after legendary leader and former chief minister Biju Patnaik, who had the dream and the vision to make Odisha the most technologically advanced state of the country by imparting state-of the-state art technical education to youths of the state," said a senior official.

So far, the state government has launched as many as 11 welfare schemes named after the late Biju Patnaik. The first scheme named after Biju babu was launched in 2001 and christened Biju Krushak Vikash Yojana.

The state government plans to set up 30 skill development centres, one in each district, and 42 skill development extension centres to impart skill training to the youth.

The state government has decided to intensify a drive on career counselling to encourage students to take up professional courses.

Secretary of the skill development and technical education department Sanjay Kumar Singh said: "It has been decided that career counselling of class IX-X students of high schools is required to apprise them about the advantages and prospects of opting for a career in technical education and training through government polytechnics and ITIs."

To bring more students under the skill development programmes, the principals of engineering schools, and polytechnics will visit the high schools of their respective districts to sensitise teachers and students towards such careers.

They will also present a write-up to motivate students.

According to the guidelines, students will be asked what they would like to do after graduating from Class X.

Besides enrolling their names in the ITIs, students can also avail Plus Two degrees from the National Institute of Open Schooling.

All skill development programmes will be linked to skill development and entrepreneurship. All the ITIs will be affiliated to the National Council for Vocational Training.