Odisha cabinet approves schemes to train 3 lakh youth, new PPP policy

The Nua Odisha skilling scheme will work towards addressing the scarcity of skilled human resources in emerging trades by offering high-quality training, fostering industry linkages and enhancing employability skills

Updated on: Aug 11, 2023, 21:00:04 IST

By Debabrata Mohanty

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BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha cabinet on Friday approved 19 proposals including a skilling programme to bridge the skill gap in the utilisation of new-age technologies in traditional sectors and a public-private partnership policy that would create an institutional mechanism for speedy clearance of the projects.

Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik (ANI)

The Nua Odisha skilling scheme will work towards addressing the scarcity of skilled human resources in emerging trades by offering high-quality training, fostering industry linkages and enhancing employability skills, chief secretary Pradip Jena said.

“It will help to bridge the skill gap in utilisation of new-age technologies in traditional sectors including handicraft, handloom, and agriculture. Offerings will include fresh skilling for youths, add-on-courses for existing students, digital and e-courses for youths in higher educational institutions, and employability skills for students in various institutions. At least 1 lakh youth would be skilled every year for 3 years under the scheme,” he said.

The Cabinet also approved the Odisha Public Private Partnership Policy to create a level-playing field for all participants and protect the interest of all stakeholders and an institutional mechanism for speedy clearance of the projects.

According to the policy, PPP projects requiring a minimum investment of ₹500 crore would be approved by a high-level clearance Authority (HLCA). The Empowered Committee on Infrastructure (ECI) will have the authority to approve projects of a value ranging from ₹10 crore to ₹500 crore. The Directorate of PPP will provide assistance to the ECI and have the authority to approve projects up to ₹10 crore. A district PPP committee, headed by the district collector and with representation of key administrative agencies at the district level and prominent Industry associations, will coordinate and facilitate the implementation of infrastructure projects on PPP mode.

The PPP Policy 2023 includes 21 sectors with an emphasis on waste management, energy efficiency measures, and renewable and alternative/non-conventional energy sectors. The policy also includes a range of government incentives and assistance under Viability Gap Funding (VGF) and Odisha Infrastructure Development Fund (OIDF) in order to boost the viability of PPP projects.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Debabrata Mohanty
Debabrata Mohanty is a senior assistant editor of Hindustan Times who works as state correspondent from Odisha covering the state's politics, governance, public policy, natural disasters, environment and its society for close to three decades. With his long years of reporting from the state capital of Bhubaneswar, Mohanty has been known as one of the most experienced and credible journalists covering Odisha for the national English dailies. His reporting combines on-ground detail with deep institutional knowledge detailing the state's changing politics, governance issues, administrative reforms and the functioning of its public institutions. He has regularly reported on issues ranging from legislative developments and public policy implementation. Politics is his core areas of expertise as he closely tracks Odisha's political landscape, including the rise and transformation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the two principal political parties in Odisha. His long association with the state's political establishment enables him to write on contemporary developments in a larger political context. Mohanty takes a deep interest in writing human interest stories, environmental issues and documenting the impact of cyclones, floods, heatwaves, and other climate-related events in one of the most disaster-prone states. His coverage extends to public health, governance reforms and stories on accountability of government institutions. Before joining Hindustan Times, Mohanty worked with The Indian Express, Mail Today, and The Telegraph, where he covered at least six general elections and as many assembly elections. In 2007, he was selected for the prestigious Chevening Young Indian Print Journalist Programme at the University of Lincoln, United Kingdom, where he received advanced training in print journalism. In 2009 he won the Press Institute of India-International Committee of Red Cross award on conflict reporting for his on-ground reportage of 2008 Kandhamal riots.Read More

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