AGARTALA: Tripura chief minister Manik Sarkar launched a skill development program to train as many as 1,465 youths.

Addressing a function, Sarkar said, “We have decided that the door will be open for government jobs and recruitment will continue but those whom we fail to give joy or may be are not running behind government job for them we asked for skill development so that the person learn something which along with little government help he can earn a livelihood.. This has been the thought of the government and today it is being formally launched but it started two years back.”

“Tripura is a pioneer in skill development mission in the country. It has been functioning since September, 2010, under the industries department. But after announcement of Skill India Mission, the state government set up a separate directorate,” he added.

Representatives of eight northeastern states, besides two Himalayan states – Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand – and the Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development, J K Mohapatra, and other officials were present for the workshop.

Sarkar said that the central government instead of pressuring the state government, should come forward with budgetary provisions for the success of the Rurban Mission.

Sarkar said that the strategic location of the northeastern states, which have a long international border and are adjacent to five nations, including China and Bangladesh, is very important, and if the union government has real intentions to explore the big market of the South East Asia, then it should come out with a proper policy to develop the northeast region with proper connectivity, literacy and infrastructure.