Latest news with #MaharashtraInstituteforTransformation
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.
Indian Express
13-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Nod for new PPP policy to transform ITIs into world-class training centres
The Maharashtra government on Tuesday approved a new Public-Private Partnership (PPP) policy to transform Industrial Training Institutes ( ITIs) in the state into world-class institutions that can produce technologically-advanced and industry-ready skilled manpower. The policy, developed by the Department of Skill Development, Employment, and Entrepreneurship, will enable high-tech training, improved infrastructure, direct apprenticeship opportunities with global companies, and employment avenues that will financially empower trainees. According to the government, around 2 lakh ITI students are expected to benefit from the implementation of the PPP part of the policy, an innovative and time-relevant curriculum will also be introduced, Skill Development Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha at a press conference at Mantralaya. Government ITIs have long been an integral part of Maharashtra's vocational education system. While ITIs have historically contributed to Maharashtra's industrial growth by supplying skilled labor, there is now a pressing need for highly specialised talent aligned with global industrial demands. These institutions face challenges such as outdated infrastructure, gaps in curriculum, and financial constraints. Therefore, revitalising these ITIs with future-oriented planning is necessary. Leading corporates, industrial associations, and philanthropists will be encouraged to help design curriculum and provide world-class training infrastructure. Corporates will be incentivised to contribute under CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) by investing in ITIs. 1. Partnerships can be for a duration of 10 years (with a minimum investment of Rs10 crore) or 20 years (with a minimum investment of Rs 20 crore). 2. Maharashtra Institute for Transformation (MITRA) will serve as the strategic partner for policy implementation. 3. In rural areas, if necessary, the Viability Gap Fund (VGF) model may be used through tenders. 4. ITIs will be classified into three categories based on their location, assessment, and potential. 5. Existing staff, including teachers, will be retained. However, additional staff for new courses may be appointed by industry partners. 6. In the first phase, at least 25 ITIs will be selected. After reviewing the pilot phase, 100 ITIs will be included in the PPP model. As part of the introduction of an innovative and time-relevant curriculum, the students will get access to global-level industrial training. Courses in AI, cybersecurity, e-learning platforms, additive manufacturing, IoT, robotics, and green energy will be introduced. 'Centers of Excellence' will be established based on the industrial clusters in specific regions (for example, Pune and Sambhaji Nagar for the automobile industry). Practical training will be emphasised, with a focus on producing industry-aligned skilled manpower. As part of the new policy, ITIs will function as industry-aligned institutions and become more capable of supplying technologically proficient manpower. A job placement cell will be set up within each PPP-operated ITI to support job opportunities for trainees.
Hindustan Times
13-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Maharashtra unveils policy to transform ITIs into global standard training centres
Mumbai, The Maharashtra cabinet on Tuesday approved a new Public-Private Partnership policy aimed at transforming government-run Industrial Training Institutes into centres of global excellence. The policy seeks to equip students with cutting-edge skills tailored to international industry demands and improve their employability in the job market, Skill Development Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha told reporters after attending a cabinet meeting. Lodha described the policy as a "historic step" to help Maharashtra emerge as a global leader in skill development. "This partnership will not only create employment opportunities but also contribute significantly to the economic growth of the state. Maharashtra is poised to become a global model for industry-aligned vocational training," he added. Lodha said the Maharashtra Institute for Transformation will be the strategic partner in implementing this initiative. "The new policy envisions modernising ITIs through private sector collaboration in curriculum development, infrastructure upgrades, and provision of advanced training technologies. "It encourages leading corporates, industrial associations, and philanthropists to partner with the government, invest in training facilities, and participate through their Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives," he added. Lodha said more than two lakh ITI students will benefit from globally relevant training. The newly approved PPP policy will introduce innovative, up-to-date curricula and connect our youth with global employment opportunities. "While ITIs have long been a vital part of the state as the vocational education system, they now face challenges such as outdated infrastructure, limited finances, and gaps in training quality. "To address these issues and meet the future demand for a highly skilled workforce, it is essential to revive these institutes through a forward-looking PPP model," he said. Lodha said the policy allows private partners to invest in infrastructure, training equipment, and course delivery without the constraints of government procurement procedures. However, ownership of land and buildings will remain with the government, and existing staff, including instructors, will be retained. Additional faculty for new courses may be appointed by the industry partners. In the first phase, the government plans to select at least 25 ITIs and expand their number to 100 after reviewing pilot outcomes. "The policy also proposes setting up Centres of Excellence based on regional industrial strengths, for instance, automotive-related training in Pune and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. "Training will focus on emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, cyber security, additive manufacturing, Internet of Things, robotics and green energy. Emphasis will be placed on practical, hands-on learning aligned with industry requirements," the minister added. Each ITI will have an Institute Management Committee to oversee operations, chaired by the private partner and co-chaired by the ITI principal or a government appointee. The policy bars industry partners from engaging in non-training activities on campus and ensures that all infrastructure developed remains government property. The minister said the industry partners will not be granted naming rights, although limited branding will be permitted with official approval. "Job placement cells will be established within ITIs under the PPP model, with direct involvement from companies in recruitment and career guidance. Start-up incubation support and employment fairs will also be organised. "The policy further seeks to enhance female participation, with companies expected to design specific initiatives for women," he said.
Hindustan Times
25-04-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Ramp up growth to achieve $1-trillion goal, state told
MUMBAI: Devendra Fadnavis may be a chief minister in a hurry, but on Thursday, he was told the pace still wasn't enough – Maharashtra's economy would have to accelerate further if it hopes to hit the $1-trillion mark by 2028. With the economy's current growth lagging at 11%, against a target of 14.5%, the Maharashtra Institute for Transformation (Mitra), a government think tank, suggested leveraging available capital expenditure space, off-budget funding and boosting the growth of backward districts. These were some of the highlights of a presentation made by Praveen Pardeshi, chief executive officer of Mitra, at its governing council meeting chaired by Fadnavis on Thursday. Pardeshi pointed out that Maharashtra's growth lags that of states of similar or higher income including Karnataka, Telangana and Gujarat. The depreciation in the Indian rupee in the last two years has underscored the need for accelerated growth, the presentation said, according to officials from Mantralaya. It also pointed out how capital expenditure in Maharashtra is lower than in other competing states, and that it had a multiplier impact on growth, according to the officials. On the plus side, Mitra pointed out, Maharashtra's fiscal deficit is lower than that of other major states and this fiscal space can be utilised to drive growth. 'Long-term vision and strategic planning, improved financial stability and predictability, enhanced decision making, and better resource allocation could help amplify the potential benefits,' the official stated. The think tank also suggested that the state focus on developing backward districts by monetising their 'land bank'. It also recommended concretisation of over 14,000km of roads in villages, and strengthening health services, to reduce spending on treating non-communicable diseases. After the presentation, Fadnavis gave the go-ahead for a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to be submitted to the economic affairs department of the central government. He also asked the state administration for a presentation on a time-bound programme for the implementation of the SOP for projects funded by World Bank and other external agencies. In addition, Fadnavis has asked for data to be generated from each district with the help of the state data policy authority, according to a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office. Water taxis for Navi Mumbai airport In a separate development, Fadnavis on Thursday directed the City and Industrial Development Corporation Ltd (CIDCO) to link the new international airport in Navi Mumbai to a water taxi service. 'Navi Mumbai airport should have multi-modal transport connectivity, like roads, railways, metro-railway and water, and for that, CIDCO should develop a water taxi facility for this airport. It will be the world's first airport with water-taxi connectivity,' said the chief minister at a meeting to review projects being executed by CIDCO. Fadnavis also asked CIDCO to provide multiple options to passengers traveling from metro railway station to the airport. He also said the new airport should have an excellent parking facility and an aircraft repair facility. Elaborating on his vision for NAINA (Navi Mumbai Influence Airport Notified Area), the new city that will be developed around the international airport, Fadnavis said, 'The width of the roads under this project should be determined keeping in mind future traffic load. The duration of the works should be time-bound and, henceforth, included in tenders for the construction of infrastructure facilities. There is no reason for delays when modern technology is available.'
Time of India
24-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Maharashtra must monetise assets to boost capex, says chief eco advisor
Mumbai: Retired bureaucrat Praveen Pardeshi has been appointed chief economic advisor to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis at a challenging juncture - the state faces its highest ever debt of Rs 9.3 lakh crore amid a host of populist welfare schemes. Speaking to TOI, Pardeshi said there is enough fiscal space for borrowing and that his recommendation is to increase long term institutional borrowings for capital expenditure and to monetise the government's assets. This includes leasing irrigation land for tourism and a portion of reservoir surface for solar power generation, besides charging municipal bodies a premium for the use of irrigation water for commercial use. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai "Our fiscal deficit ranges from 2.8 to 3% of GDP which is below the fiscal limit and gives us huge space for more borrowing. In fact, Maharashtra is an underutilised borrowing state compared to others. Borrowing for consumption is bad but borrowing for capital investment is good," said Pardeshi."As discussed with the chief minister, our focus needs to be on long-term loans from institutions and development banks like the WB," said Pardeshi, who is also chief executive officer of the think-tank, Maharashtra Institute for Transformation (MITRA). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Intel Laptops + 1:1 Support for Your Team Lenovo Pro Benefits Learn More Undo The average repayment period on such loans is 15-20 years with a five-year moratorium. "This time span allows for the completion of the project and the impact on the economy and incomes. The state is then in a good position to repay the loan and does not face a debt trap. We are targeting loans worth Rs 30,000 crores from development banks," he said. Pardeshi is also advising the government on the monetisation of its assets especially in the irrigation sector. "The water resources dept is one of the largest spenders in the state but is not even able to recover its maintenance cost for dams. The idea is to monetise irrigation projects without burdening the tax-payer," he said. Idle resources like the reservoir surface have a huge potential for solar power, he said. "Solar power has 15% more efficiency in water because of lower temperatures. We have suggested the department take a PPP advisor, undertake competitive bidding and allocate a certain amount of the reservoir surface for solar power," he said. The reservoir surface should be leased, even to private players who can pay the lease rent and win the bid, he said. Water-front tourism on irrigation lands that are not used is another suggestion. "We have done GIS mapping of irrigation project lands which are not used and are not under submergence. These can be leased for water-front tourism. But this should be done with large-scale tourism companies who maintain environmental standards with waste water and effluent recycling." Pardeshi said the irrigation department should also consider charging a higher rate to municipalities when they supply water for commercial use."When I was municipal commissioner, the BMC made a profit of around Rs 1,000 crore a year on water. This was because of the supply for commercial use to malls, theatres and industry. But the irrigation department did not make such profits because it gives bulk water to municipalities for both domestic and commercial use," said Pardeshi."We are formulating a policy under which municipalities receiving will have to pay a certain amount to the irrigation department for the water supplied for commercial use," he added.
