Panel on skill development to submit report before June 25

The panel of Chief Ministers on skill development set under NITI Aayog to push the 'Make in India' programme will submit its report before June 25.
The sub-group of Chief Ministers on skill development, headed by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, will now call region-wise meetings to incorporate views of all states on the issue.
"This was the first meeting. Now, we would call meetings on the issue region-wise so that those Chief Ministers who are not member of this group can give their suggestions.
"We will compile suggestions and submit a report before June 25," Badal told reporters after the first meeting of the panel here.

At present, the sub-group has Chief Ministers of states of Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Assam, Tamil Nadu and Himachal Pradesh.
Badal said: "Skill development is such a programme which can bring revolution in the country because unemployment is the biggest issue for us. Our country is young because 60 per cent of the population is below 35 years of age."

On the issue of farmers' distress, he said, "Farmers are in distress at this point of time. There were rains and hailstorms which destroyed crops.
"They (Centre) have cut the (crop support) price to be paid to them. It is a natural calamity. Therefore, the government should come to the rescue of farmers."

However, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said: "There is nothing new in skill development. We have been doing that in our state. The real problem is fund crunch. We want Rs 80,000 and they pay us Rs 4,000. That is the issue."
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh said: "There should be a university in every state for skill development. We should bring good trainers. Besides, there should be an institute for these trainers also."
He further said: "We have to make a national policy (on skill development) and will give suggestions for that (under this sub-group). We want that there should a policy at state level."

He suggested that all those people who require skill upgradation should be identified and there should be a network for this task.
After the meeting, Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel suggested that there is need for upgrading basic skills of the people so that they can take up employment without completing formal bachelors and masters degrees.
Odisha Minister for Employment and Training Sanjay Kumar Das Burma suggested that the Centre should open state chapters of the National Skill Development Corporation and suggest ways to improve participation of private sector for the same.