Manufacturing sector contributes around 22 to 24 percent to the country’s GDP

While inaugurating Technology Centre Bhiwadi in Rajasthan through video conferencing on Monday, Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari said skilled manpower is a must to make India a manufacturing hub.

He said that manufacturing sector contributes around 22 to 24 percent to the GDP of the country and in wake of 'Atmanirbharat Bharat’ call of the Prime Minister, he informed that “we are making 15 new Technology Centres (TCs) and upgrading 18 existing TCs to create skilled manforces.”

The Union Minister further said TCs can work as a catalyst in the area and “we are thinking of providing loans to TCs so that they may buy new machinery and new technology to cater to the needs of local industries. Work on Extension Centres is also going on for these TCs.”

He appealed to state governments to provide land and other logistic support for these extension centres.

“These Extension Centre can fulfill the needs of new and existing industries of the area. He suggested that infrastructure of existing Polytechnics, ITI’s, Engineering Colleges should be utilized for skilling the youth and support of industries can also be taken,” he added.

Speaking on the occasion Pratap Chandra Sarangi, Minister of State for MSME and Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries expressed hope that TCs will prove to be a milestone for development of the area.

He said the country is facing an economic crisis these days due to Covid-19 pandemic and these TCs are of utmost importance as they will help in increasing production, reducing unemployment and fulfilling the dream of a self-reliant country.

He also appealed to the youth of the country to improve their skills, make themselves industry ready and respond to the call of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ given by the Prime Minister.