Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday unveiled a slew of youth-focused initiatives worth more than Rs 62,000 crore, with a special emphasis on poll-bound Bihar. The initiatives aim to boost education, skilling, and entrepreneurship across the country, with a focus on preparing the youth to lead the future.
“With a strong focus on skilling and innovation, our government is preparing the Yuva Shakti to lead the future,” PM Modi said while speaking at the occasion.
“India is a country of knowledge and skill. This intellectual strength is our greatest power. Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) are not only premier institutions of industrial education, they are also the workshops of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” he added.
He further said, “A few years ago, our government started a new tradition of large-scale convocations for ITI students. Today, we are all witnessing another milestone in this tradition. I extend my best wishes to all the young ITI colleagues from every corner of India. Today’s ceremony symbolizes the importance India places on skills. Today, two more major education and skill development projects have been launched for youth across the country…”
He also added that India was a fragile economy before 2014 and that it will soon become the top economy.
Key initiatives of the launch include:
PM-SETU Scheme: A centrally sponsored scheme with an investment of Rs 60,000 crore, aimed at upgrading 1,000 government ITIs across the country in a hub-and-spoke model. The scheme will be industry-managed, with global co-financing support from the World Bank and Asian Development Bank.
Mukhyamantri Nishchay Svyam Sahayata Bhatta Yojana: A revamped scheme under which nearly five lakh graduates in Bihar will receive a monthly allowance of Rs 1,000 each for two years, along with free skill training.
Bihar Student Credit Card Scheme: A redesigned scheme that will provide interest-free education loans of up to Rs 4 lakh, significantly easing the financial burden of higher education. Over 3.92 lakh students have already availed loans worth more than Rs 7,880 crore under the scheme.
Jan Nayak Karpoori Thakur Skill University: A new skill university in Bihar that will impart industry-oriented courses and vocational education to create a globally competitive workforce.
Bihar Yuva Ayog: A statutory commission for people between the ages of 18 and 45, aimed at channelizing and harnessing the potential of the state’s young population.
Other initiatives include:
Vocational Skill Labs: 1,200 vocational skill labs will be established in 400 Navodaya Vidyalayas and 200 Eklavya Model Residential Schools across 34 states and union territories, providing hands-on training in 12 high-demand sectors.
Appointment Letters: PM Modi will distribute appointment letters to over 4,000 newly recruited candidates in the Government of Bihar.
Scholarships: Rs 450 crore in scholarships will be released through Direct Benefit Transfer to 25 lakh students of Class 9 and 10 under the Mukhyamantri Balak/Balika Scholarship Scheme.
The initiatives launched today aim to boost youth development in Bihar through education, skill training, and employment opportunities. The timing of these initiatives, just before the Bihar Assembly elections, may have major political implications.
The initiatives may boost NDA’s electoral prospects as the proposals demonstrate NDA government’s commitment to Bihar’s development, and may sway voters in favor of the alliance.
By launching initiatives focused on youth empowerment, the government aims to counter the opposition’s narrative of neglect and misrule.
The BJP also aims to consolidate upper-caste voters by showcasing its commitment to development and skilling initiatives.
The initiatives may also impact the JD(U-BJP alliance, with JD(U) potentially seeking to assert its own identity amidst growing BJP dominance.
The opposition’s response to these initiatives will be crucial in determining the electoral outcome.