Smriti Irani Elicits Feedback On Samarth Textile Skilling Scheme

Trade & Policy

Smriti Irani Elicits Feedback On Samarth Textile Skilling Scheme

There was an in depth discussion on the capacity building and skilling scheme Samarth initiated by the Union textile minister Smriti Irani recently. The minister elicited feedback from all the stakeholders in the textile sector. The Samarth scheme that was launched by the centre aims to provide training to 10 lakh persons in the textile sector. The breakup provided was 9 lakh in the organized sector and 1 lakh in the traditional sector. The scheme extends from 2017-20, a three-year period with a total outlay of INR 1300 crores.

The union textile ministry issued the guidelines for the scheme as recently as on April 23, 2018. In the discussion initiated the broad objectives of the new scheme under the skill India mission were discussed. The target audience is the youth. The youth will be skilled to get gainful and sustainable employment in the textile sector. The employment opportunities cover the entire textile value chain barring spinning and weaving. The ministry engaged the discussion participants on two topics, namely the concerns of the stakeholders and the challenges faced by the stakeholders including the government officials in implementation of the scheme.

In an official statement made by the ministry, the spokesperson disclosed, “Feedback from the concerned stakeholders on how the scheme can contribute and benefit the textile industry and boost skill development in the respective sector was also discussed.”

It may be recalled that the Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs approved the scheme in December 20, 2017. The plan was to provide demand driven, placement oriented National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) compliant skilling programs to incentivize and supplement the efforts of the industry in creating jobs in the textiles sectors.