Jairam Ramesh calls for consolidation of RSETI model

He said that the training facilities should be amalgamated

Union Rural Development Minister Jairman Ramesh has suggested consolidation of Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETI) model which provides self-employment training to rural youths.

Inaugurating the RSETI Diwas here yesterday, Ramesh said, consolidation rather than expansion should be the main aim of the programme.

He said, the training facilities should be amalgamated rather than having a RSETI in each district of the country and suggested that five districts could share training facilities as getting good trainers is a difficult task.

"The RSETI model was adopted by the Centre encouraged by the successful RUDSETI (Rural Development and Self Employment Training Institute) model initiated in 1982 in Ujire, Karnataka, by SDME Trust in partnership with Canara Bank and Syndicate Bank for promoting entrepreneurship amongst rural youth," he added.

At present, 566 RSETIs are functioning across the country and the training model includes short term training for market-linked entrepreneurship development followed by continuous hand holding support with bank linkages.

Ramesh said that if there was a problem in acquiring land for setting up training institutes in the States, the same can be done in rented premises.

He also lauded the banks for their improved performance this year and expressed the hope that the banks would take these initiatives to higher levels.

The Minister suggested an independent evaluation of the performance of the RSETIs and acknowledged the role of the RSETIs in creating in situ employment, particularly in regions where employment in organized sector is limited. He asked the banks to focus on quality of training.