CM stresses expansion of skill development programme

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday stressed on the expansion of the government's skill development programme to the grassroots.

Reviewing the performance of the Skill Development and Technical Education department at the State Secretariat here, he hoped that the newly created Odisha Skill Development Authority will usher in qualitative improvement in the skill development programmes of the state government

To fulfill the commitment made in the ruling party's election manifesto, Patnaik directed the department authorities to ensure skill development training to at least 150 youth including women in each panchayat.

He also asked the authorities to expedite the process of setting up of Industrial Training Institute (ITI) in 68 blocks, which don't have such institutes now, at the earliest.

Skill Development and Technical Education minister Sanjay Dasburma, principal secretary of the department, chief secretary and development commissioner were present at the review meeting.