The aim is to convert the unemployed into entrepreneurs: Baleri

• Department of Skill Development’s coastal central office in Mangaluru

Mangaluru: The state government’s new Department of Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood’s central office will be soon inaugurated at Yeyyadi industrial area. This office will cater to the needs of Karavali including the districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada. Here is an interview with the Joint Director Arvind D Baleri, sharing information on the Departments functionalities with ‘Udayavani’.

How is the format of the new office?

Since ours is a new department, even in Mangaluru we need to set up the basic facilities for it. For now, 5 persons have been appointed as staff. Of them, one will guide those who come seeking information on self employment. In the initial phase a plan named ‘Disha’ will be put into action.

What is ‘Disha’?

This plan is to provide guidance to educated unemployed through the Centre for Entrepreneurship Development of Karnataka (CEDOK). This will be done by setting up ‘Disha’ cells with the support of Department of Skill Development Entrepreneurship and Livelihood, Department of Industry and Commerce and United Nations Development Programme. This scheme will be implemented in four phases. Initially under the ‘Disha Outreach’ programme, by March end close to 5,000 from Dakshina Kannada district and 2,500 students from Udupi and Uttara Kannad district, interested in becoming self employed and are pursuing final year engineering, college, ITI, Diploma will be encouraged towards entrepreneurship. We are giving first preference to government colleges.

What is the advantage from the information?

After giving information, in the second phase, 625 students from the 3 districts will undergo an Information Workshop under ‘Disha Ready’ concept. It will be followed bythe ‘Disha Steady’ phase in which another information workshop will be conducted, and finally 60 students will be selected and training on how to start self employment will be provided to them. Later, they will be provided with basic facilities and monetary assistance. In this backdrop, ‘Disha Sale’ will begin soon.

Who can take advantage from this?

Normally, those coming forward to start their own business will not have information of what to do, nobody gives them loan and they will have idea on how to create a business plan. Hence, those planning to set a business from micro scale industries to industries costing up to Rs 5 crore in any for of industry/business can approach the department.

In Karavali, what type of self employment has opportunity?

Most are showing interest in establishing Food Industry, Fisheries and Forest Based Agro Industry.

For the first time, will this model of service be available?

Under the central government’s skill development department, already the facilities of loan and encouragement are available. But, this type of programme for Dakshina Kannada and 16 other districts is being started for the first time by the state government. For this, Rs 750 crore has been allocated to the department.

But, already there are many such training facilities?

Presently, there are many different government schemes. Information is available in the Horticulture, Agriculture or Social Welfare, Department of Fishing departments itself and the interested can approach the respective departments. However, henceforth all information regarding self employment will be available under our department.

The state government’s new Department of Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood is based on the model of the central government’s department of skill development. The various institutions including CEDOK, JTDC and others which were under the industry department will henceforth will blend with this department. The department will start its function in Dakshina Kannada and other 16 districts. In this way, the department’s central office dedicated for Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts will be setup at Yeyyadi industrial area in Mangaluru and is expected to be inaugurated with the month of September.

Interview by Suresh Puduvettu, translated into English by Aaron Dmello