TURA, Feb 28: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has informed that an amount of Rs 350 crore has been sanctioned for the development of various tourism projects in West Garo Hills district alone with special focus on development of the Nokrek region.
Conrad informed this during the inauguration of the new block of the Industrial Training Institute (ITI) on Saturday evening in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong.
Speaking during the programme, the chief minister, while addressing the trainees of the institute, said that they can be associated with tourism sector in future while informing that the state has received an amount of Rs 700 crore has been received from the New Development Bank, out of which Rs 350 has been sanctioned for West Garo Hills district, while the remaining Rs 350 crore would go to South West Khasi Hills district.
With regard to the Labour department, Conrad said that under the leadership of Labour Minister Prestone Tynsong, the department has been working tirelessly to bring reforms to the labour sector and to the overall skill sector in the state, while adding that the project inaugurated indicates the amount of work force and investment being implemented for the benefit of the youth in the state.
Stating that about 33 per cent of the state’s population comprises the youth, the chief minister said that approximately 50,000 youths will be capable to work every year.
He added that keeping these in mind the government was making efforts to come up with a plan and strategy to be able to provide employment to these youth as they go forward in life.
The chief minister also informed that the government has been promoting the production of natural fibre in the state which can be converted to designer wear garments and can be given to entrepreneurs for marketing.
Informing that the state will soon be coming with the State Youth Policy, he said that it will be unique as it aims to empower the youth with ‘One Skill one Talent’, which will ensure that they develop and pursue their talent in future careers.
Deputy Chief Minister and Labour Minister, Prestone Tynsong, expressed hope that the institute would benefit the youth of the region since skill is necessary in all sectors and advised the trainees to utilise the facilities and opportunities to the maximum and explore the possibilities in the private sector and open their own enterprises in future.
Principal Secretary, Labour department, GHP Raju, who was also present during the occasion, informed that other than the skill development programme in the state of Meghalaya, the department in coordination with other line departments is implementing various schemes and programmes including livestock entrepreneur skills to provide employment opportunities to the youth and upscale the economy of the people of the region.
) On the other hand, the contributions of the ITI was highlighted by Director of Employment and Craftsmen Training in Shillong, Bupesh Hajong, who informed that the institute has produced many technically skilled graduates who are placed in government and private sectors, while some are entrepreneurs.
He also informed that the institute is trying to provide the best to trainees, and expressed hope that new trades would cater to the aspirations of the youth of the region.
Meanwhile, the chief minister also handed over three buses to Tura Government College in the presence of West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Ram Singh, and Superintendent of Police, Dr MGR Kumar.