The Chhattisgarh government has inked a pact with Tata Technologies to modernise 36 state-run Industrial Training Institutes(ITIs).

The MoU was signed on Saturday by Avnesh Sharan, a senior official in the department of technical education and skill development, and Tata Technologies president Pawan Bhageria for the projectworth Rs 1,188.36 crore. Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel was present on the occasion.

“The MoU, inked for a project worth nearly Rs 1,188.36 crore, aims to modernise the state’s 36 government ITIs. The event took place during a programme organised in the office chamber of the chief minister located on the Legislative Assembly premises,” a media release issued by the chief minister’s secretariat stated.

Under the pact, training in six new trades and 23 short-term courses will be provided to the youths in the ITIs.

Tata Technologies will establish technical workshops in selected ITIs and arrange for trainers.

In addition, Tata and its partner companies will assist in providing placements to the state’s youths.

This project aims to offer training to more than 10,000 youths per year.

A senior official in the state’s technical education wing said the Chhattisgarh government would have a 13.25 per cent stake in the project.

Tata Technologies is an Indian multinational product engineering company that provides services in engineering and design, product lifecycle management, manufacturing and product development.

In October last year, the Chhattisgarh State Planning Commission had signed an MoU with Tata Technologies to develop technical educational institutions (polytechnics and ITIs) into technological hubs and upgrade agricultural research and innovation centres.

Baghel said there was scope for the expansion of a technology-based economy, and education, knowledge and skills of youth should be in keeping with the demand of the industries.

“It is the need of the hour that youths should be equipped with the latest technologies so that they are ready for employment and employment generation with self-employment,” the chief minister said.

Baghel said training, besides technical education, is an important factor to generate employment-oriented human resources. He saidthe MoU would accelerate industrial development in the state.