Gogoi asks investors to create jobs in the NE

Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi has called for “proper assessment” as to whether the investments in the North Eastern Region have had led to the creation of job opportunities. He said, investments should also bring with them jobs for the people of the state.

“Investments have to be in commensurate with job opportunities. If that is not so, then it needs serious introspection,” said Gogoi speaking at a seminar organized by ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) and National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).

Gogoi added that there was need for a “greater coordination” between the public and private sectors as well as the universities in framing a right education policy linking them with vocational jobs that are in great demand.

A study by NSDC revealed that 2.6 million skilled personnel will be required in North East between 2011 and 2021, the half of which will be required in Assam. Out of the required workforce, 75 per cent will require basic skills and rest vocational skills.

“Challenges confront us on filling up the huge hap in skilled manpower, there is immense scope waiting to be explored in various sectors,” said the chief minister.

Assam’s minister for labour and employment, Prithibi Majhi, said the state government had taken up a host of schemes and projects to create skill development in the state. “Our government has given thrust on skill development through creation of skill development centres. 11 such centres are already functioning in the state and rest 39 will come up soon,” Majhi said.

He also said that the Assam government had decided to set up an Industrial Training Institute (ITI) in each development block. He urged the private sector to come forward to develop 10 new it is under public-private-partnership (PPP) mode.