PSU banks tie up with K'taka govt to train rural youth

Public sector banks in Karnataka have joined hands with the state government to increase employment opportunities for rural youth by setting up training institutes on the lines of the Rural Development and Self Employment Training Institute (Rudseti). This is being done to encourage the unemployed to undergo self-employment training.

Rudseti, jointly promoted by Syndicate Bank, Canara Bank and Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Education Trust, from 1982, has been training rural youth in wage-earning activities.

At present, Rudseti and similar type of institutions exist in most districts in the state, except Davanagere, Hassan, Kodagu, Ramanagar and Chikkaballapura, according to information gathered by the state level bankers’ committee (SLBC).

As part of the initiative, Canara Bank recently requested the state government for allotment of land for establishing Rudseti in Davanagere and Hassan districts. The state government has advised the deputy commissioners of these districts to allot the required land for this purpose. Corporation Bank has sought allotment of land for establishing Rudseti in Kushalanagar of Kodagu district.

During the meeting convened by the state government with the general managers of banks and zilla panchayats to discuss the steps taken regarding the establishment of Rudsetis in Davanagere, Kodagu, Chikballapura, Hassan and Ramanagar districts, the public sector banks had agreed to take steps for commencement of training programmes in these districts by August-end 2008.

However, due to non-allotment of land the progress in this matter is limping.

According to SLBC, the land has been identified in Davanagere and Kodagu districts for allotment to establish the training centres. With regards to Hassan and Chikkaballapura districts, the process of identification of land is in progress for further action. Meanwhile, the project directors concerned have been told to identify suitable premises for starting the training programme as envisaged.

Further, taking into the account the training facility already available in three centres, it has been decided that there is no need for establishing one more Rudseti for Ramanagar district.

Canara Bank has indicated that training classes in Davanagere and Hassan districts will be started after being allotted land for setting up the training centre. In Kodagu district, Corporation Bank has already started the training programme in rented halls.