Union Cabinet Unveils Rs 8,800 Crore Skill Development Initiative

(MENAFN- KNN India) New Delhi, Feb 8 (KNN) In a significant move to bolster India's workforce capabilities, the Union Cabinet has greenlit an Rs 8,800 crore comprehensive Skill India Programme, set to run until 2025-26.

The announcement, made by Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw during Friday's media briefing, marks a pivotal shift in the nation's approach to vocational training and workforce development.

The revamped program comprises three key components: the Rs 6,000 crore PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 (PMKVY 4.0), the Rs 1,942 crore PM National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS), and the Rs 858 crore Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) scheme.

What sets this initiative apart is its strong emphasis on industry-aligned training and integration of cutting-edge technologies.

Particularly noteworthy is the expansion of PM-NAPS to encompass the service sector alongside manufacturing. The scheme now embraces emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, blockchain, and green energy, positioning India's workforce for the demands of Industry 4.0.

With 2.3 crore beneficiaries already impacted by these flagship schemes, the government aims to bridge the crucial gap between education and employment through hands-on experience for individuals aged 14-35 years.

In a separate but significant development, the Cabinet also approved the creation of the South Coast Railway zone, fulfilling a long-standing commitment under the Andhra Reorganisation Act.

This restructuring includes the establishment of a new Rayagada Railway division and the renaming of the Waltair division to Visakhapatnam Railway Division.

The Cabinet also extended the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis for three years beyond March 2025, allocating approximately Rs 51 crore to improve working conditions and achieve zero fatalities in hazardous cleaning operations.

(KNN Bureau)

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