Latest news with #MITRA
Focus Malaysia
06-06-2025
- Business
- Focus Malaysia
Ensure effective delivery of MITRA funds and initiatives
Letter to Editor IN August 2024, Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit MITRA (MITRA) chairman P. Prabakaran requested an increase in the allocation for the India community to RM300 mil in Budget 2025, up from the current RM100 mil. Prabakaran, who is also the Batu MP, said the RM 100mil allocated annually wasn't enough to effectively fund initiatives aimed at improving the socio-economic status of Malaysian Indians. He highlighted concerns that the amount would be inadequate to meet the diverse needs of the community and drive meaningful upliftment programmes. Now given that MITRA has endorsed 45 applications totaling RM40 mil which are awaiting processing at the Prime Minister's Office, why is there a delay in their disbursement? Prabakaran had emphasised that the government needs to boost the budget to adequately support projects that are genuinely transformational for the Indian community. Why aren't funding initiatives for the Indian community given higher importance? As June approaches, it is concerning that the Indian community remains unaware of the actual disbursement status of the RM100 mil allocated to MITRA this year. It is crucial that these funds are approved and effectively implemented without delay to provide tangible benefits for the Indian community. MITRA opened applications for the Socioeconomic Development Grant Programme for the Malaysian Indian Community (PPSMI) 2025 from Oct 15 to Nov 14, 2024. That was about seven months ago. MITRA should undergo a full restructuring. To fulfill her May 23 PKR election promise to champion the Indian community, Nurul Izzah Anwar faces the critical task of fast-tracking MITRA's initiatives and programmes. She must guarantee the swift approval and implementation of the RM40 mil allocated for Phase 1 of Budget 2025, as any further delays will hinder tangible progress and risk the return of unutilised funds to the Finance Ministry by the third quarter of 2025. It's been almost four months since funds amounting to RM40 mil for NGOs and training organisations were approved and agreements were signed. Yet, the money remains undistributed and there's no clear execution plan in sight. This delay hinders vital community works and training initiatives The recommendation is for community development professionals and experts to lead the organization. This change is crucial to ensure both transparency and effective management within MITRA. ‒ June 3, 2025 Muniandy Krishna Kuala Lumpur The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Main image: Bernama
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Maha govt to seek help of private companies to upgrade its ITIs
1 2 3 Nagpur: To address the growing demand for skilled manpower in emerging sectors like solar energy and electric vehicles, the Maharashtra govt has announced a new policy to upgrade its industrial training institutes (ITIs) through private partnerships. Speaking at a seminar, skill development minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha said the policy is aimed at transforming govt ITIs into world-class training centres with the active involvement of private industry. "The pace of industrial change is rapid, and new technologies require new skills. We want to equip our youth accordingly," he said. The minister revealed that the state has 418 govt-run ITIs and nearly 600 in the private sector. "Training must align with actual job market needs," Lodha added. "We've studied the gaps and launched this policy to overcome gaps by partnering with industry." Under the scheme, industries, industrial associations, PSUs, and NGOs can adopt ITIs. Tenure options include 10 years with Rs10 crore investment or 20 years with Rs20 crore. MITRA (Maharashtra Institution for Transformation) will act as the strategic partner for implementation. Lodha assured the govt's commitment to provide technically skilled young manpower through ITIs and urged private companies to come forward with confidence to partner in this modernisation effort. This initiative involves multiple stakeholders including Ratan Tata Maharashtra State Skill University, Maharashtra State Skill Development Society, and others. Advantage Vidarbha's Ashish Kale expressed hope that the policy will meet the growing demand for skilled manpower driven by new industries in the Vidarbha region, supported by investments encouraged by leaders like chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union minister Nitin Gadkari. Lodha also attended a job fair organised by RTMNU with the District Skill Development Center and Model Career Center, where 19 companies offered jobs to over 300 students. A student app was also launched to help youth access employment and training resources.
Barnama
30-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
MITRA Endorses 45 Applications For PPSMI Grant Worth RM40 Mln
PUTRAJAYA, May 30 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Indian Community Transformation Unit (MITRA) committee has endorsed 45 applications under the first phase of the 2025 Socioeconomic Development Grant for the Malaysian Indian Community (PPSMI). The applications are currently being processed for approval at the Prime Minister's Office. MITRA Special Task Force Committee chairman P. Prabakaran said all 45 applications, totalling RM40 million, aim to implement activities that directly contribute to enhancing the socioeconomic status of the Indian community.
The Sun
30-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
MITRA endorses 45 applications for PPSMI grant worth RM40 mln
PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Indian Community Transformation Unit (MITRA) committee has endorsed 45 applications under the first phase of the 2025 Socioeconomic Development Grant for the Malaysian Indian Community (PPSMI). The applications are currently being processed for approval at the Prime Minister's Office. MITRA Special Task Force Committee chairman P. Prabakaran said all 45 applications, totalling RM40 million, aim to implement activities that directly contribute to enhancing the socioeconomic status of the Indian community. 'MITRA received over 1,332 applications for PPSMI between Dec 2, 2024, and Jan 5. Out of this number, 1,073 applications were rejected for failing to meet the mandatory criteria, while the remaining applications are still under evaluation for subsequent approval phases,' he said in today's press conference on the status of PPSMI 2025 held here. Prabakaran said that reasons for rejection included incomplete application forms, applicants submitting multiple applications under different organisations, individuals declared bankrupt, and organisations lacking the capacity or experience to carry out the proposed programmes. 'MITRA appreciates the patience and cooperation of all applicants, as this process involves three stages of evaluation conducted transparently and with full integrity,' he said, adding that the outcome of the PPSMI applications will be announced by June 30 at the latest.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Govt reaches out to cos for developing ITIs
Mumbai: The state govt has reached out to around 5,000 companies, associations, federations, professionals and entrepreneurs to rope them in the policy aimed towards developing the Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) through public-private partnerships (PPP). The policy was announced through a govt resolution (GR) last week, and the state's skill development , employment and entrepreneurship department is in the process of getting feedback from all stakeholders, mainly the industries. The govt is already in talks with a handful of industries, said minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha on Wednesday. "We are asking industries to come forward and adopt the ITIs, offer a tailor-made course that is required in their industry and directly employ the students," said Lodha. The ownership of the ITI land and building will remain with the govt, but the industries can use existing courses or offer new ones based on their requirements. Existing teachers will also be retained, but if the partner industry wants to hire additional staff, they can be hired. One company from the food industry has already shown interest in an ITI in Sangli. The department has written to 5,000 organisations to take their feedback and understand their requirements. "We want these institutions to teach new-age courses that are not being currently offered in the ITIs. We will urge them to absorb 50% of the batch, and the remaining students will be employable in other companies from the same industry," said the minister during a media interaction. The cabinet had approved the policy during a meeting last week. The state has over 425 ITIs. While the state wants all the ITIs to be gradually adopted by the industries, in the first year the plan is to have at least 25 running in the PPP model. The Maharashtra Institute for Transformation (MITRA) will act as the strategic partner for the implementation of the policy. Every adopted ITI will have a monitoring committee too.
