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The state government has initiated steps to impart skill training to nearly 1.1 million students in next five years, said chief minister, Naveen Patnaik at the student wing convention of ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD), here, today.
"We have progressive policies for youths and women. Under this programme, the government is committed for skill development of 1.1 million youths in five years," Patnaik said.
He said, the Youth Policy, which was introduced in 2013, has paved the way for creation of several schemes to train various category of students, mostly those who come from tribal and poor families. It has given birth to specific schemes and scholarships for girl students.
Today's convention was showcased as an exhibition of show of strength following huge success of party backed candidates in the college students' union elections held in October last year. The party also used the opportunity to woo young voters, particularly in the context of similar plans by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is currently on an overdrive to enrol new members in the state.
The BJD today also re-launched its website and the entire event was broadcast live on the website. Patnaik also launched an Android app of BJD, to provide more information about the party on mobile platforms. However, unlike BJP apps, the BJD mobile app lacks features such as surveys and options to join the party.
BJP, which aims to enrol 4 million youths by 2020, said, the regional outfit is copying its strategies.
"It (BJD) is taking a leaf out of BJP book. Let's see if they can achieve their objectives or not," said Kanak Vardhan Singhdeo, state unit president of BJP.
