Maharashtra government announces 'Pramod Mahajan Skill Development Scheme'

The BJP-led Maharashtra government on Wednesday announced the 'Late Pramod Mahajan Skill Development Scheme' to evaluate and integrate existing schemes of skill development and launch new ones.

This is in accordance with the 'Skilled India' concept of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said while presenting the state budget in the Legislative Assembly here.

A provision of Rs 161 crores has been made for the newly-formed Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Department, he said.

The state government will establish a Village Industries, Cottage Industries and Handicraft Resource and Training Centre at Sevagram in Wardha district, said Mungantiwar, who hails from Vidarbha.

He announced a provision of Rs 25 crores for this purpose.

He said a provision of Rs 50 crore will be made for construction of taluka and district level sports stadia.

"For construction of girls hostel, the budget provides Rs 112 crore, which is approximately double than that of previous year's provision," he said.

Following are the other budget highlights: Rs 25 crores for construction of protective walls for the girls' hostels. All the girls hostels in the state to get protective walls in next three years.

Rs 1,690 crores for Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) for 2015-16.

Funds to be made available for modernisation of Sir J J School of Arts and other art colleges with a view to ensure quality and merit of these institutes.

An international-level School of Planning and Architecture to be established in Aurangabad.

For development of pharmaceutical science, National Pharmaceutical Science Education and Training Institute to be established at Nagpur.

The students of the state who clear the UPSC preliminary examination to get financial assistance for preparation of mains exam and interview.

The other budget highlights are:

Study centres along with reference books to be established at each district headquarters.

Strengthening of Indian Administration Pre-Service Training Centres at Kolhapur and Nagpur. A provision of Rs 20 crores for this purpose is made.

The medical colleges at Pune, Aurangabad, Akola, Ambajogai, Beed, Solapur, Nanded, Miraj, Sangli, Dhule, Yavatmal, Latur and Nagpur to be upgraded to start post graduate course. A provision of Rs 20 crores has been made for this.

Rs 135 crores earmarked for the construction and basic amenities for the medical colleges at Nandurbar, Mumbai, Alibag, Satara, Gondia, Baramati and Chandrapur.

Rs 1,996 crores for National Health Mission and Rs 300 crores for Rajiv Gandhi Jivandayi Arogya Yojana Seventy Neonatal Ambulances to be made available for immediate treatment to the infants with a view to reduce the infant mortality.

Financial assistance of Rs 390 crores will be given for the construction of various health institutes, Mungantiwar said.