Punjab's new skill development push for rehabilitated individuals

As the “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign continues to yield encouraging results, with a significant influx of individuals seeking treatment at de-addiction centres, the Punjab Government is now mulling to introduce a skill development program aimed at facilitating the successful reintegration of rehabilitated individuals into mainstream society.

A high-level meeting chaired by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) state president and Employment Generation, Skill Development & Training Minister Mr. Aman Arora, along with Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh, has led to the decision to equip rehabilitated individuals with skills for mainstream reintegration.

Mr. Aman Arora directed officials to set up a Project Management Unit (PMU) to oversee the skill development program for rehabilitated individuals, ensuring their successful reintegration and preventing relapse into addiction.

The Employment Generation Minister also directed officials from Punjab Skill Development Mission (PSDM), Technical Education & Industrial Training, and other concerned departments to collaborate with industries to impart in-demand skills to rehabilitated individuals, while asking them to coordinate with Deputy Commissioners, District Bureau of Employment & Enterprises (DBEEs), and Health department officials to streamline the skilling process.

Mr. Aman Arora also asked the officials concerned to identify rehabilitated individuals interested in skill development and match them with suitable trades. The Mission Director PSDM was also directed to facilitate job placement for these skilled individuals, enabling their successful reintegration into mainstream society.

The state government aims to inculcate good habits and skills among the rehabilitated individuals to empower them and avert their chances to relapse, said Dr. Balbir Singh while adding, “My vision is to transform drug addicts into entrepreneurs through targeted skill development.”

Principal Secretary Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training Ms. Alaknanda Dayal, Principal Secretary Health Mr. Kumar Rahul, DIG (ANTF) Mr. Sanjeev Rampal, IG Prisons Mr. Roop Kumar Arora, Mission Director Punjab Skill Development Mission, Ms. Amrit Singh, Director Technical Education Mr. Moneesh Kumar, Director Pensions Mr. Amandeep Bansal, Director promotion of Information Technology Mr. Mohinder Pal and other senior officials were also present in the meeting.