SRINAGAR: Principal Secretary, Skill Development Department (SDD), Dr. As- gar Hassan Samoon today chaired a meeting to review progress on finalization of the consultancy report of Pricewater house Coopers (PwC) and its due implementation for upgrading the skill courses offered by Polytech- nics and ITI’s across J&K. The meeting was attended by Secretary in Tribal Affairs Department, Mohammad Ha- run, Special Secretary, SDD, Director SDD, FA & CA, Prin- cipal of ITI’s/Polytechnics, representatives of PWC and other concerned officials. While chairing the meet- ing, Dr. Samoon emphasized upon the representatives of PwC that some minor changes are required in the final consultancy report so that it can present a com- prehensive picture of all the potential sectors across J&K. He asked them that the future plan for development of trades in ITIs and Polytechnics should be made as per this plan keeping in mind the futuristic aspects in terms of industrial devel- opment of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The Principal Secretary further stressed upon the representatives of PWC to consult PRI representatives and other local members for preparing final report. He also asked them to con- sult the reports prepared by Visiting officers during Back to Village programme and draft their final consul- tancy report on that basis as Skill development from pan- chayat level was also in the agenda of administration while conducting that flag- ship programme. During the meeting, the PWC team gave a detailed presentation on progress of consultancy report prepared by the organisation for the improvement of Skill in- stitutes across Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting held thread- bare discussions on the ways and means to enhance the placement opportunities of pass outs and frame an action plan to improve the facili- ties for students in terms of training and infrastructural needs.

KR Desk