Centre gives approval under Integrated Skill Development Scheme (ISDS) of the Ministry of Textiles for upgrading skill of 4,260 persons. The J&K State’s proposal, which was recently approved by a High-Powered Committee of the Union Textile Ministry, sees skill up-gradation of 4,260 youth at a total cost of Rs. 9.24 crore during the 12th Five Year Plan under Component 1. The scheme will be implemented by the Indian Institute of Carpet Technology (IICT). The Minister of State for Industries & Commerce, Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo, has welcomed the approval.

Emphasizing the need to improve skill to enhance employability of youth in the industrial sector, the Minister urged agencies like Entrepreneurship Development Institutes to introduce market-driven courses. The bridge between Academia and Industry is essential. The youth need to learn specialized skills to look for jobs in industrial sector, he said, while stressing the need to create better industry-academia interface.

The Minister said that the State Government is focusing on development of industries in organized sector and special incentives shall be given to entrepreneurs who invest in rural areas of the State.

Urging various implementing agencies to benefit from the Centrally sponsored schemes under MSME sector, the Minister called for attention to encourage upcoming entrepreneurs so that they get a ‘feel good factor’ about investing their wealth and experience in J&K State.

The Ministry of Textiles considered and approved the IICT proposal, under the ISDS with a total Government of India share of Rs. 4.26 crore for training 4,260 persons (Rs.10,000 per trainee) subject to the condition that capital expenditure in excess of 25% of the project cost will be borne by the Implementing Agency.

According to Kichloo, it is not easy to convince top entrepreneurs to set up industry in a State like J&K which has location disadvantages. However, serious efforts have been made to bring in top names and brands to the State that directly creates open employment opportunities for the youth. Also various safeguards for generating local employment have been put in place for availing package of incentives by the industrial unit-holders.