FM for improving skills of landless using NREGA funds

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday asked National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) to come up with ways to augment the talents of rural and landless persons using funds under NREGA scheme.

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday asked National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) to come up with ways to augment the talents of rural and landless persons using funds under NREGA scheme.

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"... The Finance Minster urged the NSDC to study ways and means of using funds earmarked for training under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act for enhancing skills of rural and landless persons," the government said in a statement.

Addressing NSDC board meeting and reminding its mandate to stimulate and coordinate private sector initiatives in skill development, he said the problems of the unorganised sector needed specific focus in the efforts of NSDC.

Outlining the vision of Prime Minister's National Council on Skill Development, which is to create a pool of 500 million skilled workforce by 2022, he said it is the collective responsibility of the ministries, department and NSDC.

The NSDC should aim for convergence with the activities of the government ministries and departments so that synergy could be developed and the vision achieved in a time-bound manner, he said, according to the statement.

While suggesting launching of a website to disseminate details for submission of new proposals, he expressed satisfaction at the inception of a study on skill mapping in 21 high priority sectors and other activities of NSDC.

The NSDC board members, representing various skill sectors, also gave suggestions on enhancing the effectiveness of the corporation.