Modi's 'Skill India' campaign another repackaging attempt: Digvijay Singh

Singh further said that the campaign would not have been possible if Rajiv Gandhi hadn't brought computers in the country

Congress Party general secretary Digvijay Singh said Wednesday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's launch of a "Skill India" campaign was nothing but a repackaging attempt, and added that this effort would not have been possible had not former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi not taken the initiative to introduce the use of computers in the country.

Responding to reports in the media of Prime Minister Modi launching a "Skill India" campaign in 100 cities today, Digvijay Singh took to Twitter to say, "Another repackaging attempt of Modi Govt Digital India and Skill India, wouldn't have been possible if Rajiv Gandhi hadn't brought computers."

He further went on to say, "Which BJP opposed claiming loss of jobs by bringing computers. Skill India initiated by UPA Govt, now NDA & Modi claiming Credit! Grow Up!"

On Tuesday, former finance minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram also echoed similar sentiments.

An official release issued by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship said, the campaign is an important milestone towards achieving the objective of skilling with speed, scale and standards across the country.

It said this event will bring together key stakeholders, including central ministries, departments, state governments, leading industry bodies and trainees.

The ministry said partnerships with all these stakeholders is vital to ensure the success of Skill India.

The national event will be telecast live across more than ten thousand ITIs, NSDC training centres, select Nehru Yuva Kendras, and some educational institutions in all states and union territories in the country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the National Skill Development Mission and unveil the new National Policy for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

Modi will also roll out the ministry's flagship scheme, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikash Yojana. National Skill Development Mission will converge, coordinate, implement and monitor skilling activities across India.

Prime Minister will also launch Skill Loan initiative, where loans from 5,000 rupees to 1.5 lakhs rupees will be available to more than 34 lakh youth of the country, who seek to attend skill development programmes, over the next five years.