The Honourable Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, presided over a significant high-level meeting today to evaluate the progress and challenges in the areas of skill development, entrepreneurship, and labour welfare. The meeting was attended by key officials from the Department of Skill Development, Department of Labour & Employment, and Mission Youth.
During the meeting, the Lieutenant Governor delved into various issues such as the integration of skill development programmes, strategies for promoting entrepreneurship and employment, analysis of skill gaps, and the mapping of skills to enhance the capabilities of the workforce and youth. There was also an extensive discussion on the effective implementation of healthcare and social security schemes for labour welfare, as well as the advancement of livelihood generation schemes for youth and women.
One of the critical points highlighted by the Lieutenant Governor was the urgent need to upskill and reskill the youth and labour force in alignment with the evolving landscape of skill development to meet the demands of various industries. He stressed the importance of a cohesive, government-wide approach to skill development and the provision of opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Furthermore, the Lieutenant Governor emphasized the necessity of strengthening measures to safeguard workers, particularly unorganised workers, by ensuring statutory minimum wages, social security, and healthcare benefits.
In a bid to enhance the employability of local youth in development projects, the Lieutenant Governor directed the streamlining of the registration process for unemployed youth and labourers in their respective departments. Additionally, he underscored the importance of assisting unorganised workers in registering on the e-Shram portal.
The meeting also served as a platform to evaluate the progress of key initiatives and schemes such as job fairs, the e-Shram Portal, Ease of Doing Business, and the promotion of the Knowledge-Based Service Sector. Digital initiatives including the development of a Common Skilling Dashboard and the J&K Youth and Skill mobile application were also thoroughly reviewed.
Key officials including Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor; Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary; Dr Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor; Kumar Rajeev Ranjan, Secretary of the Skill Development, Labour & Employment Department, and CEO of Mission Youth, graced the meeting with their presence.
The high-level meeting chaired by the Lieutenant Governor signifies the unwavering commitment of the administration to foster a conducive environment for skill development, entrepreneurship, and labour welfare in Jammu and Kashmir. This proactive approach towards addressing the needs of the workforce and youth is poised to play a pivotal role in propelling the region towards sustainable growth and prosperity.