Gujarat govt misusing training centre fund

The Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) has highlighted the issue of misuse of funds allotted to training centres (kaushalya vardhan kendra) set up in the state under National Skill Development Mission. It has also alleged that the state government has outsourced work to private contractors, as a result of which the employees are exploited.

The state has 335 such training centres. “The Centre allotted crores of rupees for setting up infrastructure and equipment at these centres. But, the state government has misused the funds. In areas where there is no drinking water facility and electricity, the state government has allotted huge amount for setting up RO plant and large screen LED television,” said Manish Doshi, spokesperson of GPCC.

He also said that state government has outsourced the work at the training centres to private contractors, due to which employees of the centre are exploited. “The employees receive payment once in two-three months and that too just 50% of the salary fixed by the government,” added Doshi.

The salary for inspectors is fixed at Rs10, 700 per month, against which they receive just Rs5,000. Similarly, the security personnel should receive Rs6, 548 per month, but are paid Rs3,000. Doshi alleged that out of Rs2.6 crore allotted to Gujarat, employees of all 335 centres are paid just Rs1.17 crore.