Skill Development programme for homeless hits a roadblock

New Delhi : A plan to run skill development training centres for the homeless in the city has been delayed as the proposal sent by the Delhi government fails to meet the criteria needed to get funding from the Central government.

Such training centres were to be opened in a phased manner, but officials have just realised that the Delhi government project does not meet the Union government guidelines to make it eligible for funding.

The Centre issues funds under the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) for imparting skill development training to destitutes to enable them to access employment opportunities.

Recently, the Delhi government decided to turn some night shelters into to skill development training centres during the day. But the AAP government cannot avail funds issued under the Centre’s National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) to run these centres due to “procedural issues”, said an official.

“Everything is ready. Courses to be taught at the skill development centres have been shortlisted, NGOs which will run these centres have been selected, and the night shelters which will double up as the skill development training centres have been identified. But there are different rates of payment for trainers and equipment to be purchased under the Delhi government’s Technical Community Education Outreach Scheme (TECOS) and NULM guidelines, which have been delaying this project,” an official told.

The Delhi government’s skill development programme is a tripartite project comprising Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB), Directorate of Training and Technical Education (DTTE), and NGOs. As per NULM guidelines, the city government’s Directorate of Training and Technical Education (DTTE), which heads TECOS, cannot avail the fund issued by the Centre as it fails to fulfill some of the prerequisites, said another official. “Even there are some issues with the course content. Under the city government’s project even an illiterate person can get the skill development training. But under the Central government’s course structure one has to be class 8 or class 10 passed,” added the official.

“We are holding a meeting with the Centre to iron out these issues,” he added.

The DUSIB, city government’s department which looks after shelter homes, had given the proposal to DTTE. “The DUSIB sought responses from the NGOs about the courses to be taught at the training centres. It forwarded the proposal to the city government’s department for technical training (DTTE),” said the official.

“The DUSIB is in continuous talks with the DTTE to resolve the issue and get on with the skill development programme,” he added.

The courses to be taught at the skill development centres include electrician, plumbing, handicraft and weaving, among others. About 10 night shelters have been identified to run these skill development training centres during the day, he said.

There are around 200 shelter homes across the city which have the capacity to accommodate over 16,000 homeless people.

Note: News shared for public awareness with reference from the information provided at online news portals.