April edition of Yojana exclusively focuses on the development of north-east India. Northeast
India is an anthropo-biodiverse region of the country. This region is a blend of unique
cultural traditions along with potential for immense sustainable economic growth.
Introduction
There is a need to look at the skilling initiatives in the NE region in a different light. The
region's population comes with a dominant agrarian mindset. There is an opportunity and a
requirement to inculcate need based skill development and entrepreneurship promotion in North
East Region. The young and growing population is the region's prized possession and asset and
to realize the economic potential the region holds, it is imperative to utilise the demographic'
advantages and parameters that will lead to market linked skill development.
Why North-east?
The NE region has a great potential to develop not just as a self-sustained economic unit of
India, but also contribute to the overall economic growth story of the country. The Centre had
recently announced to take up its Skill India initiatives in the Northeast in a "big way" by setting
up skill development centres and industrial training institutes (ITIs) in new districts. The Union
Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister, had urged the industry of the north-eastern
region to actively participate in skill development of the region and also recommended one
member each for all the 40 Sector Skill Councils from Federation of Industry and Commerce of
North Eastern Region (FINER). The minister also proposed to restructure National Skill
Development
Corporation (NSDC) and include FINER as a member.
Need of the hour in the North Eastern India is:
• Dedicated Government single point of contact (SPOC) needs to be deputed to manage
skill in each of the NE States.
• Dedicated Project Lead needed for each state from the executions Partner (NSDA, NSDC
etc.)
• Leverage the Central and State schemes or funds effectively.
Government's response-
To address the North-eastern region's development challenges, including infrastructure,
the Central government created the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region in 2004;
allocating Rs 2,362 crore to s the ministry in 2015-16. The region has certain distinct advantages
with its strategic location having access to the traditional domestic market of eastern India.
Also, with its proximity to major states in the east and adjacent countries such as Bangladesh
and Myanmar, the region has the advantage for being the vantage entry point for the South-
East Asian markets. The resource-rich north-east with its expanses of fertile farmland and a
huge talent pool could turn into one of India's most prosperous regions.
Skilling Challenges in the North-East-
A "Skill University" in the North- East needs to be urgently set up as "engaging" with the
aspirations of India's youth is a "challenge". Setting up "Migration Support Centres" at big hubs
can provide better retention and career opportunities for candidates. This measure will be more
essential for trainees coming from the North-East, hilly states and other difficult areas, including
LWE (left-wing' extremism)-affected districts.
How to create employment opportunities
Employment opportunities can be created swiftly in a garwood plantations in Meghalaya
vis-a.-vis local resources and livelihood opportunities. The South East Asian countries' business
model based on creating a vertically integrated business from the management of plantations to
the inoculation, harvesting, distilling and processing of a garwood inputs into a multitude of a
garwood end products, including the highly-prized Cud Oil can be replicated.
Challenges
One of the challenges facing the implementation and execution of any skills developmentrelated
scheme is reaching out, educating and motivating youth in the rural and remote parts of
the country. With over thirty years of experience in learning and development, we have realized
that the only way to increase the efficiency of the employees in the corporate sector is
through innovative training methodologies which need to be upgraded from time to time.
Ecosystem for start-ups:
The efforts to promote startup companies and develop entrepreneurship
particularly in NE have resulted in favourable changes in the entrepreneurial
scenario in the North East. A right ecosystem for the start-ups has to be created by accessing
the right skill, smart capital, networking and exchange, entrepreneurial culture and
sound marketing strategies.
• "Vision 2020' targets by North Eastern Council (NBC) and the Ministry of Development of
North Eastern Region (DoNER):
• Overall GSDP growth at a CAGR of 11.64 per cent between 2007- 09 and 2019-20
• Overall per capita income growth of 12.95 per cent between 2007- 09 and 2019-20
• To support 'Vision 2020', the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region has formulated
a strategic plan (2010-16) highlighting:
• Building capacities and competencies in critical sectors in the region;
• Preparing a plan of action for building capacities and competencies in critical sectors;
• Identifying institutes and organisations for imparting training and building capacities in
the region;
• Setting up of training institutes in the region in important fields through line Ministries,
NEC or states;
• Augmenting the capacity of the existing training institutes in the north eastern states, and;
• Using IT as a tool to upgrade skills.
Paryatak Mitra Programme
The Ministry of Tourism has launched Parytak Mitra Programme, for college going students
to inculcate appropriate tourism traits and knowledge and to enable them to act/work as
Tourist Facilitators (Parytak Mitra).
The development and promotion of tourism is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments/
Union Territory Administrations. The Ministry of Tourism as part of its ongoing promotional
activities releases campaigns in the international and domestic markets and also undertakes
other promotional activities under the Incredible India brand-line to promote India as
a holistic destination for tourists and to showcase its various tourism destinations and products.
Skill Development For Ne States
The National. Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Policy, 2015 links skill development
to improve employability and productivity for inclusive growth in the country. The Policy
emphasise upon special attention to border, hilly and difficult areas including North Eastern
States to address their needs for skill development and employability. The policy provides for
special efforts including earmarking. of funds for establishing training facilities in difficult regions
and need base subsidisation of skill training for disadvantage groups. These policy interventions
are being implemented by Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship through
the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) in States/UT's including North Eastern
Region. 10 per cent outlay of PMKVY is apportioned for skill development in North Eastern
Region.
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