Port Blair, March 10: DeenDayal Upadhyay Grameen Kaushalya Yojna (DDU-GKY) is a centrally sponsored Scheme of the Ministry of Rural Development aims to skill the underserved, rural youth in order to provide them with a regular source of income. DDU-GKY is a skilling and placement initiative with an objective to ‘transform rural poor youth into an economically independent and globally relevant workforce’.

An awareness-cum-mobilization programme was conducted by Mission Manager (Mobilization) under this scheme in the District of North & Middle Andaman by the DDU-GKY team with the help of respective Blocks. In this program, rural youths, BDOs, EOs, VLWs, SHG members, DEOs of DDU-GKY, GRS of MNREGA, Cluster Coordinators of NRLM etc. keenly participated.

Block Development Officers of Diglipur, Mayabunder & Rangat Block, expressed gratitude that the scheme will improve employability of the rural youth across this UT including the district of North & Middle Andaman.

Through this scheme which is being implemented by the Directorate of RD & PRIs the Andaman & Nicobar Administration plans to provide skill development training along with placement to 3000 candidates by year 2022. In the first phase 1800 candidates shall be imparted training and will be given placement as per guidelines.

Economically backward youth of rural areas will be given skill development residential mode of training along with other required facilities free of cost after the candidates are selected through mobilization, aptitude test and counselling.

For Mobilization of rural youth of North & Middle Andaman District several Awareness programmes had been conducted to orient them about the features and benefits of the scheme. More than 300 participants enthusiastically participated in the said mobilization drive. On creation of a database, special counseling sessions will be conducted with the potential candidates for successful implementation of this scheme across UT will lead to economical development of island youth.

The rural youths of North & Middle Andaman District are urged to avail the benefits of the scheme for betterment of their livelihood. This scheme connects trained individuals with job opportunities within and outside the UT. The implementation of this scheme across the UT will lead to the overall development of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Shri Suneel Anchipaka, Secretary (RD/PRIs) talking about the skill development programme of the GoI expressed  that youth employment will be encouraged which in term will benefit social development and bring fresh perspective and a different way of thinking to build their experience and apply their skills in the workforce.