SRINAGAR, Oct 17: The Centre has approved Strategic Investment Plans (SIPs) worth Rs 475.41 crore under the PM-SETU initiative to modernise two Industrial Training Institute (ITI) clusters in Jammu and Kashmir, with Rs 240 crore earmarked for the Jammu cluster and Rs 235.41 crore for the Srinagar cluster.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary for approving the investment, saying it would strengthen vocational training infrastructure, improve industry linkages and equip young people with skills suited to employment requirements.
Under the approved plan, ITI Jammu will serve as the hub of the Jammu cluster, with institutions at R S Pura, Nowshera, Samba and Kathua designated as its spokes. The cluster has been allocated Rs 240 crore for upgradation and modernisation.
The Srinagar cluster, with an approved investment of Rs 235.41 crore, will have ITI Srinagar as its hub, with ITIs at Ganderbal, Kangan, Budgam and Charar-i-Sharief forming the spokes.
The hub-and-spoke model is intended to strengthen coordination among the institutions and improve access to modern vocational training facilities. The plans envisage infrastructure upgrades and the introduction of contemporary courses aligned with evolving domestic and global skill requirements.
The initiative also emphasises outcome-based training, with a focus on industry relevance and employment outcomes. The proposed improvements are aimed at helping ITIs provide training that better reflects the skills required by employers and supports employment opportunities for local youth.
The Chief Minister said the investment would help modernise training infrastructure and strengthen links between vocational institutions and industry, while enabling young people in Jammu and Kashmir to acquire job-ready skills.
The two approved Strategic Investment Plans together account for Rs 475.41 crore under PM-SETU. The announcement does not specify a timeline for completing the proposed upgrades or provide a detailed breakdown of the expenditure across individual institutes.