CRPF to take skill development programmes to tribals, J&K youth

In a novel reach-out endeavour of the government, the Central Reserve Police Force has been roped in to extend benefits of skill development programmes to the people staying in violence-hit areas of the country.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in this regard was signed here on Tuesday between the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the CRPF -- who are often deployed in the country's violence-hit areas to restore law and order.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who was present on the occasion, said the Central Reserve Police Force has its presence even in the remotest areas of the country and it can play a pivotal role in extending the benefits of skill development schemes like Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojna to the tribals of Maoist-affected areas, where few trainers dare to venture due to security reasons.

"The CRPF can also play a crucial role for skill training of Jammu and Kashmir youth and even in the disturbed areas of North-Eastern region of the country," Singh said.

The Minister said that the MoU will also help the retired CRPF personnel, widows of martyrs, disabled personnel, unemployed CRPF wards and family members of CRPF personnel by providing them welfare and gainful employment.

They would be trained in apparel making, automobile, beauty and wellness, food processing, IT, etc in various CRPF group centres/establishments across the country, officials said.

"The force would also extend the requisite security and support to skill development trainers who would be visiting the hitherto inaccessible interior areas in remote villages to impart the skills to the tribal population," the official said.

--IANS

mak/lok/dg