Plan to train caddies to promote golf-tourism lying idle for 4 yrs: Govt

The tourism ministry's plan to train caddies under its Hunar se Rozgar Tak initiative, to promote golf-tourism, had been lying idle since 2013, the Lok Sabha was informed today.
In a written reply in the Upper House of Parliament, Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma said the plan to train caddies was brought under the ambit of the initiative in 2012, but only one batch comprising 24 members was trained since then.
"The scheme is to be delivered by the Women's Golf Association of India, a constituent body of the Indian Golf Union, or any other organisation as identified by the Ministry of Tourism as part of its larger initiative, Hunar Se Rozgar Tak (HSRT)," he said.

Launched in 2009-2010, HSRT initially covered only food production and food and beverage service, according to the guidelines issued by the ministry.
Six more trades and training areas -- housekeeping utility, bakery and patisserie, driving, stone-masonry, golf caddies and tourist facilitation -- were added to the list in 2012.
"The guidelines specify a maximum estimated training cost of Rs 12,241 per trainee," Sharma said.

He added that 24 participants successfully completed the first batch of training in 2012-2013, but no such programme was held since.
However, a number of youngsters were trained in different services under the scheme.
As many as 5,610 people were trained under it in 2009-10, 6,981 in 2010-11 and 12,191 in 2011-12, said the minister.