Annual Conference of State Channelising Agencies of NMDFCc Gets Underway

A National Level Skill Development Academy Being Set Up: Dr.Najma Heptulla Manas and NSDC Sign MOU For All India Collaborative Networks For Academy

A national level skill development Academy “Maulana Azad National Academy for Skills” (MANAS) is being set up with its headquarters in Delhi. This was announced by Dr.Najma Heptulla,the Union Minister for Minority Affairs this while inaugurating the Annual Conference of State Channelising Agencies (SCAs) of National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC) here today. The Minister said MANAS will serve as a Specialized Vehicle to Implement Skill Development and Up gradation Program for the minority communities, being undertaken by MOMA and various other Ministries, Departments and Organizations of Central/State Governments. She informed that this is an ambitious project focusing at for providing skills training / up gradation in those sectors of economy in which there is shortage or demand is likely to emerge in future, so that they can find gainful employment / self employment opportunities. NMDFC will ensure concessional credit flows to such people who have undergone skill training/up-gradation and want to either set up, or expand their own business for self-employment. In a way ‘MANAS’ is being treated as missing link in between demand for skills, and need for concessional credit, to boost, skill training/up-gradation, and employment/self- employment. The academy will network with various national and international agencies for certification, placement and funding for the program. An MoU was also signed between MANAS and National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) to establish an extensive All India Collaborative Network for the academy. Cash awards were given to 3 best performing SCAs, Nagaland State Social Welfare Board, Kerala State BC Dev Corporation & JK Women Dev Corporation to motivate other SCAs. Six beneficiaries of best performing SCAs were also awarded having good track record of fund utilization & repayment and also some of the trainees under the drivers' training program being organised in association with Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. Name of beneficiaries are Smt. Jan Begum and Smt.Razeena Begum of JK Women Development Corporation; Mrs.Viphreno and Mrs.Ruovinuo of Nagaland State Social Welfare Board; Sh.Ashique Ali and Mrs.Haleema Begum from H.P Minorities Finance Corporation. The Minister also released the First Issue of NMDFC's News Letter on the occasion. The news letter is expected to bridge the information gap about the schemes & programs of NMDFC and also provide a medium for dialogue with the beneficiaries. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Lalit K Panwar, Secretary Ministery of Minority Affairs (MoMA) asked to make NMDFC a brand synonymous to services provided. He said NMDFC can immensely contribute in making seven of the fourteen schemes of MoMA successful. Earlier welcoming the participants, Shri D S Bisht,Managing Director,NMDFC gave a brief account of achievements o f the past 20 years and challenges of today before NMDFC. The conference was attended by the officials of the concerned department of the State Governments, State Channelising Agencies of NMDFC, Ministry of Minority Affairs, similar Social Sector Apex Corporations under different Ministries, Auditors, Bankers and other agencies associated with NMDFC. It provided a very large interactive platform for exchange of ideas & getting feedback from the field level implementing agencies, to bring about further improvement in the programs/schemes of NMDFC &its delivery mechanism. Courtesy: pib.nic.in