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Indian Express
a day ago
- Business
- Indian Express
70 ITIs in Maharashtra to teach Solar Technician and EV Mechanic courses: Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha
The Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has approved the introduction of two new courses–Solar Technician (Electric) and EV Mechanic (Electric Vehicle)–in 70 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in Maharashtra, Skill Development, Employment, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha announced on Wednesday. The ministry's Directorate-General of Training has also approved a plan to establish a Government Advanced ITI at Chembur, Mumbai, for the empowerment and uplift of Scheduled Caste and Neo-Buddhist communities, the minister said in a statement. This institution will offer courses like Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Technician, Electrician, Wireman, IoT Technician (Smart City), and Electric Mechanic starting from the academic year 2025-26. Lodha said the modern curriculum updates in line with changing times would enhance employment opportunities and revolutionise ITI education in the state. The 70 selected government-run ITIs will teach the two new courses now, Lodha said, adding that further approvals would be given to institutions that request them. Lodha said the state government was focusing on environmentally sustainable initiatives. He added that given the growing demand for solar energy-related technologies, skilled technicians were increasingly needed in the field. Senior scientist Dr Raghunath Mashelkar and MITRA CEO Praveen Pardeshi provided valuable guidance and recommendations for updating ITI curricula, according to the government statement. Lodha emphasised that the goal of the skill development department is to provide students with education that is aligned with industry demands and to generate a highly skilled workforce. According to the statement, the Government is trying to upgrade 36 district-level ITIs across the state in collaboration with private industries. These collaborations aim to enhance training quality and infrastructure, create more employment opportunities annually, and align new skill-based courses with the National Education Policy. The focus remains on launching in-demand, industry-relevant courses, and expanding opportunities for employment through skill exhibitions and career guidance camps, according to the statement.


Hans India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Only a handful of 130 BC castes enjoying govt sops
Hyderabad: As the BC reservation debate goes on, those with less numerical strength and scattered across Telangana are pushed into disadvantaged positions, when it comes to reservation. From the 130 castes under Backward Classes, only about 20 to 25 castes are historically dominant castes. They have successfully landed various government provisions, while the others have failed to mount pressure on the authorities to get their rightful share. During the public hearing undertaken by the BC Commission across the State as part of the caste survey, it came to light that these handful of select castes have been enjoying the benefits of reservation, while most are deprived of the same privilege. Commission members had to bear some tough questions from some of the disadvantaged castes during the hearing. 'When we were undertaking public hearings some observations by representatives of a caste under BC category intrigued us. One of them wondered if, on the completion of the survey, they will get the benefits in their lifetime,' stated a panel member, while pointing out that over 100 castes are yet to fully enjoy the fruits of reservation. The BC Commission, which awaits the State Government's SEEEPC (Social, Education, Employment, Economic, Political, Caste) survey – Caste Survey report, is hopeful that justice will be rendered this time around. It is also expecting to get a copy of the 300-page report from the Independent Expert Working Group (IEWG) that was recently submitted to the government. Meanwhile, IEWG has analysed and interpreted the survey and ranked different castes across parameters. It calculated a Composite Backwardness Index (CBI) for each of the castes in the survey. A first-of-its-kind analytical model to measure socio-economic backwardness and assigns a CBI score and rank for all castes. 'For the first time we have developed an objective statistical method to calculate how backward each caste is relative to the other castes. It's only relative to the other castes. To put it in simple terms, it is a backwardness ranking of all the castes,' the group members explained. The BC Commission aims to study as to which of these castes are disadvantaged under the current provisions and based on rankings how many benefits reach the deserving castes. 'Based on the ranking, we will be studying and finding out solutions to provide priority to these disadvantaged castes. We must ensure that these castes are getting benefits at least now. Otherwise, this entire exercise would prove futile,' a commission member told this correspondent.


Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Backwardness Index: 71% BCs caught in deep backwardness
Hyderabad: As the proposed enhancement of reservations for Backwards Classes (BC) occupies a central place in the state's political discourse, the Backwardness Index (BCI) has revealed important insights. The index, created by a group of experts using data sourced from the Social, Economic, Educational, Employment, Political, and Caste Survey (SEEPC), shows that 71% of the 134 BC sub-castes were close to deep backwardness on the composite BCI. The BCI is a unique initiative designed to assess the socio-economic status of various communities in the state. The findings, to be discussed at the cabinet meeting on Monday, which are in the exclusive possession of TOI, indicate that 243 communities have been assigned scores ranging from 0 to 126, with an average score of 81. In the composite backwardness index, a higher score (126) signifies a greater degree of backwardness, indicating significant barriers to progress, while a low score (0) reflects relative advancement and improved living conditions. The scores of a staggering 99% of Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities, 97% of Scheduled Caste (SC) communities, and 71% of Backward Classes (BC) reflected more backwardness (above 81%), highlighting significant struggles across 42 evaluated parameters for these communities. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If you have a mouse, play this game for 1 minute Navy Quest Undo Notably, none of the forward castes, including forward castes within the Muslim community, have an average score below 81, indicating that they are exempt from the levels of backwardness reflected in this study. However, sources indicate that, in practice, no caste has been able to achieve either the maximum score of 126 or a zero across the board. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad Telangana has 59 sub-castes among Scheduled Castes (SC) and 33 sub-castes among Scheduled Tribes (ST). The caste survey has revealed that non-Muslim Backward Classes (BC) make up 46.25% of the population or 1,64,09,179 individuals. Additionally, Muslim BCs account for 10.8% of the population, which corresponds to 35,76,588. When combining these two groups, the total population representing Hindu, Muslim, and Christian converts from SCs is 56.33%. The expert committee has meticulously identified 42 essential parameters from a comprehensive survey questionnaire, which delve into crucial aspects such as literacy rates, educational attainment, and patterns of asset ownership. These parameters are methodically arranged along a spectrum that categorises groups from 'most backward' to 'least backward,' providing a nuanced understanding of social stratification. To deepen this analysis, several sub-indices have been developed, each targeting specific dimensions of backwardness. These include the social backwardness index, which examines community cohesion and social networks; the gender backwardness index, highlighting disparities in gender equality; the educational backwardness index, focused on access to and quality of education; the occupational backwardness index, which assesses employment opportunities and job types; and the living conditions index, evaluating factors such as housing quality and access to essential services.


Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Well of change': Expert panel proposes targeted welfare schemes
Hyderabad: The expert committee on the Socio-Economic, Educational, Employment, Political, and Caste Survey (SEEPC) has proposed the implementation of targeted welfare schemes tailored to the varying levels of backwardness experienced by different communities. To illustrate this concept, the committee offered a compelling analogy: envisioning a govt-dug well that serves as a central water source. Instead of allowing every household unfettered access to the well, regardless of their specific needs and capabilities, it would be more effective to install pipelines that deliver water directly to each home. This approach ensures that resources are allocated based on actual requirements, allowing the most disadvantaged communities to receive the necessary support while promoting a more equitable distribution of welfare benefits. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad In its executive summary, the committee drew this analogy, opining that the index serves as a powerful tool to enable a shift toward targeted welfare initiatives. Rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach to social schemes, the govt can now design and implement welfare programmes specifically tailored to the unique needs of different communities. The report also noted that even among the marginalised communities, the degree of backwardness is relative. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pirates Climb Aboard Cargo Ship - Watch What The Captain Did Next Tips and Tricks Undo Therefore, it is important to adopt target-based schemes to address these differences effectively. As the comprehensive 300-page report detailing the backwardness index is set to be tabled before the cabinet for a discussion, deliberations are expected on whether the report should be presented in the assembly. Sources indicate that there will be significant discussion concerning the public release of the findings, as both the Congress high command and the expert committee have recommended transparency to address any misconceptions about various communities. It is important to note that the report's findings will only be made public if they are formally tabled in the assembly, ensuring that the dissemination of information follows proper legislative procedures.


New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Telangana plans to implement focused welfare schemes for the underprivileged
HYDERABAD: Equipped with data from the Socio, Economic, Educational, Employment, Political and Caste Survey, the Telangana government is now planning to implement focused welfare schemes, particularly for communities that have largely remained underprivileged. Speaking to TNIE, sources revealed that caste-wise data on state government employees is also being collected to identify which communities have been underrepresented in government jobs. In March this year, the state government constituted an expert committee to conduct a detailed analysis of the data collected from the recently concluded caste survey with an objective of formulating inclusive and evidence-based policies for the welfare of all communities in the state. The government also plans to ease the work of those practising various caste-based occupations like dhobi, carpentry and pottery by providing latest technology-enabled machinery. Recently, the Telangana government announced wage incentives for handloom weavers under the Telangana Nethannaku Bharosa (assurance to weavers) scheme. A budget of Rs 48 crore was released for the initiative. Sources revealed that more such schemes are in the pipeline. The Telangana government passed two legislations — the Telangana Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutions and of Appointments or Posts in Services under the State) Bill, 2025 and the Telangana Backward Classes (Reservation of Seats in Rural and Urban Local Bodies) Bill, 2025 — in the Assembly on March 17, 2025. As these two Bills remain under scrutiny by the Union Home Ministry, the state government has sent The Telangana Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Ordinance to Governor Jishnu Dev Varma. This ordinance aims to facilitate the enhancement of 42% reservations for BCs in local body elections. It is learnt that the Governor has sought the opinion of the Attorney General of India on the proposed Bill. Meanwhile, the Cabinet meeting, scheduled for Friday, was postponed as the Governor's nod for the Telangana Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Ordinance is still awaited. It appears that the government is firm on issuing 42% reservations to BCs in the local body elections, based on the caste survey data.