PM for replicating JK's skill development initiative in states

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today batted for replicating Jammu and Kashmir's skill development initiative 'Himayat' throughout the country during his monthly video conferencing with Chief Secretaries of all the states.
Under his Pro-active Governance and Timely Implementation (PRAGATI) initiative, the Prime Minister conducts meetings with Union Secretaries and Chief Secretaries on monthly basis to review the progress of infrastructural projects and schemes under implementation in the states, an official spokesman said.
JK Chief Secretary Iqbal Khandey also participated in the video conference.
During today's interaction, the Prime Minister discussed the progress achieved under 'Himayat'- a placement-linked market-driven skill training programme for youth of JK and integration of the state in the 'Green Energy Corridor for Renewable Energy'.

The Prime Minister appreciated the success achieved under 'Himayat' and asked the Union Rural Development Ministry to replicate the model in other states of the country.
'Himayat' was conceived as training-cum placement initiative for a 5-year period for the youth of J&K, to hone their skills and then place them in the private sector with one year post-placement tracking.

Since its introduction in the year 2011-12, 40,000 youth in the age group of 18-35 years have been trained in various skills and out of them as many as 22,695 youth i.E 70 per cent are in jobs in the private sector.

The state government has urged the Centre that 'Himayat' should be extended beyond 2015-16 and its guidelines be brought in line with 'Deen Dayal Upadhyaye Grameen Kaushalya Yojana' so that better and greater support can be extended to the youth of J&K.
While reviewing the status of various Green Energy corridor projects including the 7,500 MW Solar Power Project in Ladakh region of JK, Modi called for fast tracking harnessing and integration of renewable power potential available in various states including J&K with the National Grid.