KMC to start drivers' training classes to generate employment among youths

Kolkata: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has decided to impart driving training to unemployed youths in the city who would be interested in taking it up as a profession. The decision comes after drivers' training had come to a halt in the city in the past two years with the NDA government excluding this trade from the National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM) from 2015-16 academic year. The Centre also stopped allocating funds for the same.

Drivers' training was quite popular under the NULM and the KMC had imparted training to more than 18,000 youths till 2016.

"We will start this training again and the entire fund for the same will be borne by the state government. We have asked the councillors of all the 144 wards to prepare a list containing the names of youths who are eager to undergo this training from their respective wards," said Swapan Samaddar, Member Mayor-in-Council (Bustee Development), who looks after the NULM.

The KMC has set a target of training 20,000 unemployed youths in this regard. Training will be given in institutes approved by the State Urban Development Agency (SUDA).

It may be mentioned that Mayor Firhad Hakim, who took stock of various trainings under the NULM in a meeting on December 19, had said necessary kits will be provided to the trainees under the project by the state government as the Centre's allocation of funds had become irregular for quite a while. The Centre is supposed to provide 60 percent of the fund, while the state is to allocate the remaining 40 percent.

The NULM training is provided to unemployed men and women coming from economically challenged background in various trades that include beautician course, computer training, embroidery, boutique to name a few.

Hakim had directed officials under the NULM to ensure that the best of training is provided to the beneficiaries and assured that the state will chip in with funds to ensure smooth functioning of the NULM.