Centre's skill development programme to be launched in Punjab: Najma Heptulla

NEW DELHI: The Centre's skill development programme for members of Sikh and Muslim communities will be launched in Punjab tomorrow.

Minority Affairs Minister Najma Heptulla will launch the scheme simultaneously for six centres in as many villages through video conferencing from Girls' College in Mansa town.

Heron Kalan, Kulrian, Ablu, Warring Khera, Nag Kalan and Maler Kotla are the villages where the centres will be inaugurated.

"We had earlier launched the programme in madrasas in Uttar Pradesh. But we now want to focus on education centres of Sikhs, Buddhists and Christians too. Our focus will be mainly on training people in local skills," Heptulla said.

The government plans to train the villagers in beauty and wellness skills, data entry operating, chikankari, sewing machine operating and phulkari (embroidery).

Union Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur, in whose Parliamentary constituency (Bhatinda) the programme will be launched, will also be present during the event.

Launched in 2013, the scheme aims at bringing down unemployment rate among minorities, conserving traditional skills of the communities and establishing their links with markets.