Kolkata: In a unique initiative to provide employment to the youths of Jangalmahal who were once involved in Maoist activities and have now abandoned their guns, the Bengal government has decided to introduce training programmes so that they can be inducted in the ITI colleges across the state.
The Technical Education and Training and Skill development department is all set to introduce an induction training for the youths of Jangalmahal who were once associated with extremist activities. The department will start the training so that those who have not cleared class VIII examination, get an opportunity to take part in the programme. Those who will successfully complete the training will be able to enroll themselves with the ITI colleges.
The step taken by the Bengal government will help these youths to pursue various technical studies, thereby making them employable. It will also create a job opportunity for them in those areas. A huge number of people who were once associated with extremist groups have shunned violence after the Mamata Banerjee government introduced various development schemes in the region. Many of the Maoist cadres have joined the mainstream, responding to the call of the Chief Minister.
Purnendu Basu, the minister of Technical Education and Training and Skill development, on Wednesday said: "The students are admitted in the ITI colleges in two ways. Under one section, the applicants have to clear class VIII examination while on the other, they have to clear Madhyamik. Induction training for a year will be given to those candidates from the Jangalmahal who have not cleared the class VIII exam. Those who will successfully clear the training will get a chance to take admission in the ITI colleges. The training will begin soon."
The state government introduced one-year special training for the ITI aspirants last year so that people from the Maoist affected areas can get employment after completing the courses. The minimum eligibility for a candidate to undergo ITI training was to clear VIII examination. Those who have not attained the class were not allowed to take part in the ITI training. Now, the candidates who have not passed the class VIII exam will find a different alternative to get admission in the ITI colleges.