The Minorities Affairs ministry today launched the Maulana Azad National Academy for Skills (MANAS) to impart training to youths in light of the stress laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on skill development.
As it was launched on a pilot basis on the 125th birth anniversary of first Education Minister Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, MANAS today also saw two MoUs being signed under it for the training of youths in the health and security sectors.
While one MoU was signed with Health Sector Council for training programmes for 200 girls and boys for Bed-Side Attendant and Home Healthcare Attendant through Skill Tree Consultant Ltd, the other was inked with the Security Sector Council for a security services training programme for 100 persons.
"To increase coverage of the programme under MANAS, the ministry has recently increased the income eligibility criterion for trainees from Rs 1.03 lakh to Rs 6 lakh (annual) to facilitate provision of training and concessional credit. This change of base is likely to benefit 12 to 13 crore people," said Minorities Affairs minister Najma Heptullah.
The training programmes will ensure 100 per cent employment for trainees. Further, based on the outcome of the programmes, the ministry will expand the MANAS network to help it acquire an all-India footprint.
Heptullah said that the role of skilling will be to fuel economic development and ensure inclusive growth of the minorities in keeping with Modi's government's motto of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'.
"Establishment of MANAS is in line with transformational vision of the Prime Minister and will further the cause of skilled India," she said.
The ministry will also write to other ministries to associate MANAS with their programmes, especially those related to skill development of minorities, and use the facilities at MANAS for achieving 15 per cent allocation of funds, Heptullah said.
"These ministries would be requested to nominate their officers on the board of MANAS to facilitate implementation of their Skill Development Training Programmes," she said.
