Jammu, Oct 19 (KNO): Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Sunil Sharma on Monday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship after the Centre approved investment plans worth rupees 475.41 crore for upgrading 10 Government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across Jammu and Kashmir.
In a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), LoP Sharma said the approval under the PM-SETU scheme would strengthen vocational training infrastructure and create better employment opportunities for youth in the Union Territory.
He said the approved plan includes rupees 240 crore for the Jammu cluster, with ITI Jammu as the hub institute and ITIs at R.S. Pura, Nowshera, Samba and Kathua as linked institutes. The Srinagar cluster will receive rupees 235.41 crore, with ITI Srinagar as the hub institute and ITIs at Ganderbal, Kangan, Budgam and Charar-i-Sharief as linked institutes.
LoP Sharma said the proposed upgradation would focus on modern workshops, advanced machinery, improved instructor training and industry-aligned courses to equip young people with skills relevant to the evolving job market.
He also said the number of ITIs in J&K had increased from 35 in 2014 to 56 at present, while their seating capacity had risen from around 3,800 to over 12,400.
He thanked Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for his support towards strengthening skill development and vocational education in the Union Territory.
The LoP further urged the Omar Abdullah-led government to ensure the timely release of the UT’s matching share, wherever applicable, and complete the required administrative formalities without delay.
He said timely implementation was essential to ensure that the approved investment translated into modern training facilities, industry-ready skills and sustainable employment opportunities for the youth.—(KNO)