J&K Bank today inaugurated Rural Self Employment Training Institute (RSETI) at Poonch, where unemployed youth of the district especially those from Below Poverty Line (BPL) would be trained for self-employment ventures through information and skill enhancement.
J&K Bank Vice-president and Zonal Head Mr. R K Chibber inaugurated the institute in presence of the Chief Guest Additional District Commissioner, Poonch. Mr. S. Jitender Singh, Director RSETI Mr. Suresh Gupta, Project Officer, DRDA Poonch, Mr. Ashok Kumar, LBO Poonch, Mr. Gulzar Ahmad, Cluster Head Mr. Gh. Jeelani Shah and Director RSETI, Rajouri Mr. Harjinder Singh Sasan.
An awareness camp on ‘Entrepreneurship Development' also commenced today after the inaugural ceremony. While welcoming the establishment of such institutes, the Chief Guest congratulated J&K Bank for establishing RSETI at Poonch as per the guidelines.
He said, "Such institutes can help in creating the culture of entrepreneurship which remains at the center of self-employment."
He stressed upon the youth of the district to register at the institute to avail the trainings so that they are able to start their own small ventures.
It is because of J&K Bank only that the state has achieved the 40% of the CD ratio whereas other banks appear to be keen on getting deposits only.
Meanwhile, Mr. R K Chibber, Zonal Head of the bank dwelt in detail on various steps the Bank has taken in the form of RSETI's to institutionalize entrepreneurship in J&K state.
He said, "Establishment of RSETIs across the state is a step to nurture the culture of entrepreneurship here. These will hand hold the participants and guide them at least for the next two years."
If the youth trained in these institutes face any difficulties in finances after they are sponsored by the relevant agencies, the director of the institute will help them in arranging finances to establish their own viable units, he added.
He further stressed upon the youth to avail the opportunity under SKEWPY (Sher–e-Kashmir Employment Welfare Programme for Youth) for availing loans to establish their viable units.
There is ample scope in establishing units in dairy, sheep rearing etc, in the state which our youth should exploit, he said.
Mr. Suresh Gupta, Director of JKB RSETI Poonch in his welcome address highlighted the aims and objects of the RSETI.
He said, "The purpose of the institute is to train the rural youth including that from BPL for self-employment through need based training programmes. That includes intensive short-term residential self-employment training programmes with free food and accommodation."
However, the areas of the training programme, he said, would be decided after the aptitude test of the candidates. He promised the candidates of complete support for assured credit linkage with banks.
Cluster Head, Poonch Mr. Gh. Jeelani Shah presented the vote of thanks.