Pulwama to launch SSS Campaign; DC chairs preparatory meeting

PULWAMA: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Pulwama, Kuldeep Krishan Sidha, today chaired a district-level meeting at Circuit House, Pulwama, to review preparedness and finalise arrangements for the implementation of the SSS (Skill Development, Self-Employment, Sports and Studies) Campaign across the district.

The meeting deliberated on the roadmap for effective implementation of the campaign, aimed at identifying the aspirations, abilities and training requirements of individuals and connecting them with appropriate opportunities in skill development, self-employment, sports and education.

The Deputy Commissioner directed the concerned departments to undertake a comprehensive household-level skill mapping exercise covering individuals in the age group of 18–59 years to identify their skills, interests and training requirements. He emphasised that the campaign would be implemented in mission mode, with focused efforts to facilitate access to specialised training through reputed institutions, ITIs, besides certification and placement support wherever feasible.

He said the initiative would also facilitate individuals in pursuing self-employment activities. Awareness and facilitation camps would be organised to connect unemployed youth with government schemes, financial assistance and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Under the sports component, the Deputy Commissioner directed the identification of individuals having interest and potential in various sporting disciplines and stressed the need to provide them with appropriate training and institutional support to help them pursue opportunities at national and international levels.

He further emphasised inclusive implementation of the campaign, directing that special attention be given to specially-abled persons, members of the transgender community, children in rehabilitation centres and other vulnerable sections to ensure their participation in skill development and livelihood initiatives.

The Deputy Commissioner also stressed concerted efforts to eliminate child labour from the district. He directed the concerned officers to undertake regular field visits, particularly in markets and other vulnerable areas, identify instances of child labour and bring such cases to the notice of the district administration. He emphasised that affected children must be provided necessary rehabilitation support and facilitated in returning to the formal education system.

Reviewing educational initiatives, the DC directed the Chief Education Officer and other concerned departments to explore the establishment of dedicated learning centres for Children with Special Needs (CWSN), along with the development and training of requisite human resources to provide appropriate educational support.

He also directed the Education Department to formulate a 45-day winter capsule coaching programme in Mathematics and Science for students of Classes 10th and 12th. The programme would provide separate coaching arrangements for boys and girls during the winter session, with the participation of voluntary teachers. The department was also asked to explore suitable incentives to encourage teachers to contribute to the initiative.

The Deputy Commissioner called upon all departments and institutional stakeholders to work in close coordination to ensure effective implementation of the campaign and maximise its outreach across the district.

The meeting was attended by General Manager, DIC Pulwama; Chief Planning Officer, Pulwama; Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Pulwama; representatives of CSIR-IIM, KVK Malangpora and IUST Awantipora; Assistant Commissioner Development; Chief Education Officer; Chief Animal Husbandry Officer; District Statistics and Evaluation Officer; District Youth Services and Sports Officer; District Informatics Officer; Block Development Officers; officers from Agriculture, Horticulture, Floriculture, Social Welfare and other line departments; representatives of banking institutions and other district and sectoral officers.