Jammu: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday thanked the Centre for approving Rs 475.41 crore for upgrading 10 government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across Jammu and Kashmir, saying the investment would strengthen vocational training and equip young people with skills suited to industry requirements.
The Chief Minister expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Singh for approving the Strategic Investment Plans under the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) scheme.
According to the Chief Minister’s Office, the initiative is aimed at modernising training infrastructure, strengthening industry linkages and improving employment opportunities for the youth.
The investment plans cover two clusters, with Rs 240 crore earmarked for the Jammu cluster and Rs 235.41 crore for the Srinagar cluster.
Government ITI Jammu will function as the hub institution for the Jammu cluster, supported by ITIs at R S Pura, Nowshera, Samba and Kathua. Eagle Infra India Limited will serve as the industry partner for the cluster.
In the Kashmir region, Government ITI Srinagar will anchor the cluster, with ITIs at Ganderbal, Kangan, Budgam and Charar-i-Sharief forming the associated network. Inderdeep Infra India Limited has been identified as the industry partner.
Each cluster comprises five government ITIs, bringing 10 institutions under the proposed modernisation programme.
The planned interventions include upgrading workshops and training facilities, improving access to contemporary equipment, strengthening practical instruction and aligning vocational programmes with changing industrial needs.
The cluster-based approach is intended to improve training quality through industry participation and provide trainees with exposure to skills relevant to employment requirements.
The National Steering Committee of the PM-SETU scheme approved the investment plans at its sixth meeting in New Delhi on October 16, chaired by Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
The Department of Skill Development said the proposals were advanced under the guidance of Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo and through the efforts of Administrative Secretary Kumar Rajeev Ranjan.
PM-SETU is a flagship scheme of the Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship focused on transforming ITIs into modern, industry-oriented vocational training institutions.
Approves 671 kanals in Samba for industrial park
Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir government has approved the transfer of 671 kanals of land in Samba to the Industries and Commerce Department for setting up a Plug and Play Industrial Park under the Centre’s Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojna (BHAVYA).
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the initiative would help attract investment, strengthen local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and encourage entrepreneurship, while creating employment opportunities for the youth.
The proposed industrial park will provide ready-to-use infrastructure, reliable services and streamlined approvals to enable businesses to commence operations more quickly.
The project is aimed at improving the ease of setting up industrial units and creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurs and investors in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the Chief Minister’s Office, the initiative is expected to contribute to balanced regional development by strengthening the industrial ecosystem and supporting local enterprises.
The BHAVYA scheme envisages the development of industrial parks equipped with essential infrastructure and facilities to reduce the time and effort required by businesses to establish operations.
The transfer of land in Samba marks a step towards developing the proposed industrial facility, with its potential impact expected to be reflected in investment mobilisation, enterprise growth and employment generation.
