Training programme launched in 6 states to boost electricity-to-all scheme

A training programme has been launched in six states to skill manpower in the power sector to support the 16,320-crore 'Saubhagya' scheme to provide electricity connections to more than 4 crore families across the country by 2018-end, Union minister R K Singh said today.

The vocational training programme was launched today in Assam, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh. An agreement was signed between the Power Ministry and the Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Ministry today for achieving the training outcomes.

The Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojna(SAUBHAGYA) scheme seeks to provide electricity connection to over 4 crore families throughout the country by December 2018.

Lack of skilled manpower has been standing in the way of Saubhagya scheme and the partnership with Skill Development Ministry will bridge the gap, the power minister told reporters here.

Around 47,000 distribution linemen-multi skills and technical helpers will be skill trained in the six focus states to ensure success of the scheme.

Singh said the power sector will benefit immensely as an outcome of the collaboration.

As the scheme is to be implemented across the country with 200 districts as major focus area, the skilling initiatives are proposed to be delivered in a decentralized mode at district level.

The training infrastructure available with ITI's at district level as well as the infrastructure available with the State Power Distribution Utilities will be utilised for skill training of the candidates ensuring successful implementation of the scheme.

The scheme is undertaken as a special project under the government's flagship skulking scheme Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana.