Vocational skills centre for Muddenahalli

Centre to launch interest subsidy scheme for education loans

Timed to coincide with the 150th birth anniversary of Visvesvaraya, Muddenahalli will take credit of hosting the country’s first National Training Facility for Skills for All (NTFSA) Centre to provide training for master trainers in vocational technology.

Union Law Minister Veerappa Moily, who represents Chikkaballapur constituency in the Lok Sabha, on Tuesday reiterated that engineering skills in carpentry, masonry, plumbing, painting and automotive skills will be covered in the first year. Skills in IT, tourism, house-keeping and healthcare will be introduced in the second year. Super trainers will provide the training programme. “We will open similar centres in other parts of the country based on the Muddenahalli model,” Moily said.

Another first will be launch of a central scheme of interest subsidy for education loans. Initiated by Canara Bank, the Government of India scheme will provide full interest subsidy during the course period on loans availed by students belonging to economically weaker sections. Other projects in the line up include setting up a rural BPO, which will provide employment to 550 youths, inauguration of training for micro, small and medium entrepreneurs, launch for entrepreneurship development programmes, credit linkages to self help groups by State Bank of Mysore and release of special postal cover in honour of Sir M Visvesvaraya. Several dignitaries including Governor H R Bhardwaj, Union and state ministers will participate in the programme.