Odisha to be laboratory of skill development: Pradhan

Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan today said the Centre has plans to make Odisha the laboratory of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
Petroleum Minister Pradhan, who is also the minister in charge of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, said this while addressing a programe marking Micro Unit Development and Refinance Agency (Mudra) promotion in the state.
"The banks should disburse credit between Rs 10 lakh to Rs 1 crore to Odisha's new entreprenures by September next," Pradhan said.
Stating that about 3.5 lakh to 4 lakh youths become employable every year, Pradhan said both the central and state governments should work in tandem to ensure that the youths get employment.

He said the Skill Developmet & Entrepreneurship Ministry has been working to ensure skill development of youths across the country.
He, however, asked the banks to come forward and increase their credit ratio in order to help the new entrepreneurs.
"The credit ratio of banks in Odisha remains at 50 per cent. This should be 75 per cent," Pradhan said.
Pradhan also thanked banks for disbursing credit of Rs 18,600 crore to 66.20 lakh people in the state. Of them, 20 lakh were first timers, he said.