JAMMU, OCT 19: Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Sunil Sharma on Monday welcomed the Centre’s approval of investment plans worth ₹475.41 crore for upgrading 10 Government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across Jammu and Kashmir under the PM-SETU scheme, describing the decision as a major boost to vocational education, skill development and employment prospects for the Union Territory’s youth.
Sharma expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary for the approval granted by the National Steering Committee. He said the investment would strengthen technical training infrastructure, modernise vocational education and help young people acquire industry-relevant skills to improve their employability and entrepreneurial prospects.
Under the approved plan, the Jammu cluster will receive an investment of ₹240 crore, with ITI Jammu designated as the hub institute and ITIs at R.S. Pura, Nowshera, Samba and Kathua functioning as linked institutes. The Srinagar cluster has been allocated ₹235.41 crore, with ITI Srinagar serving as the hub and ITIs at Ganderbal, Kangan, Budgam and Charar-i-Sharief operating as linked institutions.
The proposed upgradation will focus on establishing modern workshops, introducing advanced machinery and equipment, strengthening instructor training and developing industry-aligned courses. The objective is to equip trainees with practical competencies suited to evolving industrial requirements and emerging employment opportunities.
Welcoming the approval, Sharma said the ₹475.41 crore investment would provide fresh momentum to skill development in Jammu and Kashmir and expand opportunities for young people to secure employment and pursue self-employment. He stressed that modernising ITIs and aligning their training programmes with industry requirements would be crucial to building a skilled, productive and economically self-reliant workforce.
He also highlighted the allocation of funds to both Jammu and Srinagar clusters, stating that balanced development must ensure equal access to quality vocational education for youth across the Union Territory. He emphasised that students from areas such as R.S. Pura and Budgam should benefit from improved training facilities and courses capable of translating their skills into meaningful employment and entrepreneurship.
Citing the expansion of vocational education infrastructure, Sharma noted that the number of ITIs in Jammu and Kashmir had increased from 35 in 2014 to 56 at present, while the overall seating capacity had risen from approximately 3,800 to more than 12,400. He said the expansion reflected the growing emphasis on skill development, adding that the next priority must be to improve training quality, strengthen industry participation and ensure that these institutions function as effective gateways to employment.
The Leader of Opposition also expressed gratitude to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for his continued support and efforts towards strengthening vocational education and skill development in Jammu and Kashmir.
However, Sharma urged the Omar Abdullah-led Jammu and Kashmir Government to ensure the timely release of the Union Territory’s matching share, wherever applicable, and complete all necessary administrative and procedural formalities without delay.
He maintained that the Centre’s approval must be followed by prompt implementation so that the proposed investment translates into upgraded training facilities, modern technical education and sustainable livelihood opportunities. Stressing the importance of coordination between the Centre and the UT administration, Sharma said administrative delays should not obstruct the delivery of benefits to young people aspiring to build careers through vocational training.
The initiative is expected to strengthen the institutional framework for technical education in Jammu and Kashmir, with the successful execution of the approved plans remaining central to improving workforce readiness and connecting local youth with emerging employment opportunities.
