Minister <keyword id="42575" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Arun-Jaitley">Arun Jaitley</keyword> presented the Union Budg2017, his fourth annual <keyword id="6358021" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="budget">budget</keyword>, today. The highlights of Budget 2017 are : 
 
 
Monetary policy to be expansionary in major economies 
 
More steps will be taken to benefit farmers and the weaker sections; budget being presented during weak global economy 
 Pace of remonetisation has picked up; <keyword id="3315394" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="demonetisation">demonetisation</keyword> effects will not spill over to next year 
 
Functional autonomy of the railways to be maintained 
 
Demonetisation will help in transfer of resources from tax evaders to government: 
 
Merger of Railways Budget with General Budget brings focus on a multi-modal approach for development of railways, highways and inland water transport 
 
Only transient impact on economy due to demonetisation; long term benefit include higher GDP growth and tax revenue 
 
GDP will be bigger, cleaner after demonetisation 
 Effects of demonetisation not expected to spill over to the next year, says <keyword id="6355261" type="POSITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Finance-minister">Finance Minister</keyword> 
 
 Effects of demonetisation not expected to spill over to the next year, says <keyword id="25455" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="finance">Finance</keyword> Minister 
 
 
Govt took two tectonic policy initiatives - passage of GST Bill and demonetisation 
 
Demonetisation was a continuation of series of measures taken by govt in 2 yrs; it is bold and decisive measure 
 
We are seen as engine of global growth; IMF sees India to grow fastest in major economies 
 
36 pc increase in FDI flow; forex reserves at USD 361 billion in January enough to cover 12 months needs 
 
CAD declined from 1 pc last year to 0.3 pc in first half of current fiscal: FM 
 
 
India has emerged as bright spot in the world: FM 
 
 
Uncertainty around commodity prices especially oil to have impact on emerging economies: FM 
 
Double digit inflation has been controlled; sluggish growth replaced by high growth; war on blackmoney launched: FM 
 
We have moved from discretionary based administration to policy based administration: FM Jaitley 
 
Agricultural sector is expected to grow at 4.1 per cent this fiscal, says Jaitley 
 
Demonetisation was a bold and decisive strike in a series of measures to arrive at a new norm of bigger, cleaner and real GDP 
 
Committed to double farm income in 5 yrs 
 
Plan, non-plan classification of expenditure done away with in the Budget for 2017-18 to give a holistic picture 
 
Mini labs by qualified local entrepreneurs to be set up for soil testing in all 648 krishi vigyan kendras in the country 
 
Budget presentation advanced to help begin implementation of schemes before onset of monsoon 
 
We will continue the process of economic reform for the benfit of poor 
 
Spend more in rural areas, infra, poverty alleviation, while maintaining fiscal prudence as guiding principle of Budget 
 
Our agenda for next year is to transform, energise and clean India 
 <keyword id="6354424" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="World-Bank">World Bank</keyword> expects GDP growth rate at 7.6 pc in FY18 and 7.8 pc in FY19 
 
Allocation under MNREGA increased to 48,000 crore from Rs 38,500 crore. This is highest ever allocation 
 
Rs 9,000 cr higher allocation for payment of sugarcane arrears 
 
Target of agriculture credit fixed at Rs 10 lakh cr in 2017-18 
 
Tax administration honouring the honest is one of the 10 pillars of Budget 2017-18 
 
National Testing agency to conduct all examinations in higher education, freeing CBSE and other agencies 
 
133-km road per day constructred under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana as against 73-km in 2011-14 
 
Govt to set up dairy processing fund of Rs 8,000 crore over three years with initial corpus of Rs 2,000 crore 
 
1 cr households to be brought out of poverty under Antodya Scheme 
 
Participation of women in MNREGA increased to 55 pc from 45 pc in past 
 
Modern law on contract farming will be drafted and circulated to states 
 
Dedicated micro-irrigation fund to be created with a corpus of Rs 5000 crore 
 
Market reforms will be undertaken, states will be asked to denotify perishables from Essential Commodities Act 
 
Space technology to be used for monitoring MNREGA implementation 
Sanitation coverage in villages has increased from 42 pc in Oct 2016 to 60 pc, a rise of 18 pc, says FM 
 
We propose to provide safe drinking water to 28,000 arsenic and fluoride affected habitations 
 
To construct one crore houses by 2019 for homeless. PM Awas Yojana allocation raised from Rs 15,000 cr to Rs 23,000 cr 
 
100 pc electrification of villages to be completed by May 2018 
 
27,000 cr on to be spend on PMGSY; 1 cr houses to be completed by 2017-18 for houseless 
 
PM Kaushal Kendras will be extended to 600 districts; 100 international skill centres to be opened to help people get jobs abroad 
 
The allocation for rural agri and allied sector in 2017-18 is record Rs 1,81,223 crore 
 
In higher education, we will undertake reforms in UGC, give autonomy to colleges and institutions 
 
A system of annual learning outcome in schools to be introduced; innovation fund for secondary education to be set up 
 
Two new AIIMS to be set up Jharkhand and Gujarat 
 
New rules regarding medical devices will be devised to reduce their cost 
 
1.5 lakh health sub centres to be converted to Health Wellness Centres 
 
National Housing Bank will refinance indiviual loans worth Rs 20,000 crore in 2017-18 
 
Rs 500 cr allocated to set up Mahila Shakti Kendras; Allocation raised from Rs 1.56 lakh cr to Rs 1.84 lakh cr for women &amp; child welfare. 
 
Capital and development expenditure pegged at Rs 1.31 lakh cr for railways in 2017-18 from Budget 
 
Allocation for SCs increased from Rs 38,833 cr to Rs 52,393 cr, a rise of 35 per cent 
 
35 pc increase in allocation for SC to Rs 52,393 cr 
 
For senior citizens, Aadhaar based health cards will be issued 
 
Model Shops and Establishment Bill to open up additional opportunities for employment of women 
 
Select airports in tier-II cities to be taken up for operations, development on PPP mode 
 
New metro rail policy to be unveiled 
 
Railway tariffs to be fixed on the basis of cost, social obligation and competition 
 
Service charge on e-tickets booked through IRCTC will be withdrawn 
 
Delhi and Jaipur to have solid waste management plants and five more to be set up later 
 
Government proposes Coach Mitra facility to redress grievances related to rail coaches 
 
500 stations will be differently abled by providing lifts and escalators 
 
Unmanned railway level crossings to be eliminated by 2020 
 
Railway line of 3,500 km will be commissioned in 2017-18 as against 2,800 km in 2016-17 
 
Total allocation for rural, agri and allied sectors for 2017-18 is a record Rs 1,87,223 cr, up 24 per cent from last year 
 
Rs 1 lakh cr corpus for railway safety fund over five years 
 
A scheme for senior citizens to ensure 8 per cent guaranteed returns 
 
Dedicated micro-irrigation fund to be set up by NABARD to achieve mission of Per Drop, More Crop 
 
Digi Gaon will be launched to promote tele-medicine and education 
 
Crude oil strategic reserves to be set up in Odisha and Rajasthan apart from 3 already constructed 
 
Coverage of Fasal Bima Yojana to go up from 30 pc of cropped area to 40 pc in 2017-18 and 50 per cent next year 
 
For transport sector, including railways, road and shipping, government provides Rs 2.41 lakh crore 
 
Allocation of Rs 10,000 cr for Bharat Net project for providing high-speed broadband in FY18 
 
Allocation for national highways stepped up to Rs 64,000 cr from Rs 57,676 cr 
 
Budget allocation for highways stepped up to Rs 64,000 crore in FY18 from Rs 57,676 crore 
 
Dispute resolution in infrastructure projects in PPP mode will be institutionalised 
 
Rs 2,74,114 crore allocated for defence expenditure, excluding pension; This includes Rs 86,000 crore for defence capital 
 
Govt to further liberalise FDI policy 
 
Over 90 per cent of FDI proposls are now processed through automatic route 
 
FIPB will be abolished 
 
Trade Infrastructure Export Scheme to be launched in 2017-18; total allocation for infra at record Rs 3.96 lakh cr 
 
Second phase of solar power development to be taken up with an aim of generating 20,000 MW 
 
After demonetisation on Nov 8 last year, deposit of between Rs 2 lakh and Rs 80 lakh made in 1.09 cr bank accounts at an average of Rs 5.03 lakh till Dec 30 
 
More funds beyond Rs 10,000 cr for recapitalisation of banks will be provided if needed 
 
The shares of railway CPSCs like IRCTC and IRFC to be listed on various stock exchanges 
 
We are largely a tax non-compliant society 
 
New ETF with diverse stocks will be launched in 2017-18 
 
Of 76 lakh individuals who reported income of over Rs 5 lakh, 56 lakh are salaried 
 
Integrated public sector oil major to be created to match global giants 
 
Govt will amend the Multi-state Cooperative Act to protect the poor and gullible investors 
 
Urgent need to protect poor from chit fund schemes, draft bill placed in public domain 
 
Computer emergency response team to be set for cyber security of financial sector

Union Budget 2017: Here are the highlights so far

Plans of world domination don’t come cheap. As a company present in 460 cities in 69 countries, ride-sharing business <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=uber&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Uber</a> recently raised another $3.5 billion from <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Uber-just-got-3-5-billion-from-Saudi-Arabia/articleshow/52544814.cms">Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund</a>, the largest single investment ever made in a private company, and a significant part of this is coming to India. 
 Amidst growing and fierce competition in a market that has grown in significance and importance to startups and tech companies world around, India is now commonly considered the battle-ground for the giants, be it <keyword id="1042120" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Uber">Uber</keyword>, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Apple&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Apple</a>, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=facebook&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Facebook</a>, or <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=microsoft&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Microsoft</a>. And, not without reason, with a population of 1.2 billion and counting and a smart phone penetration of over 220 mn and rapidly growing, this is what all sweet dreams are made of for any tech-based, consumer focused company. 
 
READ ALSO: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Exclusive-Uber-India-Head-says-additional-investments-to-bemade-in-India-this-year/articleshow/52553142.cms">Exclusive: Uber India Head says additional investments to be made in India this year</a> 
 
Uber entered the Indian market in 2013 and is currently present in 27 cities. It’s aggressive pricing and convenience of anywhere-anytime mobility has wooed Indian users. The country has also emerged as a major strategic market after the US and China. 
 Business Insider sat down with <keyword id="3389350" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Uber-India-head-Amit-Jain">Uber India Head Amit Jain</keyword> as he opened up for the very first time about not only what India means to Uber’s global scheme of things, but also about the numerous challenges the company’s been facing dealing with the several State Governments, the deep learnings out of each of these challenges and the conversations he has with each Uber driver during his daily trips to office and back home. 
 
What % of the $3.5 bn raised by Uber from the Saudi Arabic Public Investment Fund comes to India? 
There is no specific number. We committed a billion dollars to India last year, and our commitment to India is absolute. We’ll do whatever it takes to invest and grow in India. It’s a strategic market for Uber globally. 
 
The $3.5 bn is testament to the strength of our business globally. The war-chest we have is $11 bn, that’s more than all our competitors combined. You could see additional funds being deployed. The whole premise is we’ll invest as much is needed. 
 
Highlights from your 1 year stint at Uber? 
 
A year back, our business looked very different from what it is today. We were in 11 cities then, now its 27 cities. The number of driver partners has also grown exponentially - we have over 3,50,000 plus driver partners with Uber in India. The team size has grown a lot. We've invested and built an Engineering Centre in Bangalore to tap into the deep talent pool in India. We have set up our Centre of Excellence in Hyderabad which has over 200 employees currently. 
 
On the impact side, the expected time of arrival for an Uber has gone down significantly, and is often less than 5 minutes in most cities. The flexibility and money that working with Uber provides to our driver partners is phenomenal. 
 
Uber Pool wasn't there back then. Today we've launched it in multiple cities globally. Today 25% Uber rides in Delhi and Bengaluru are on UberPOOL. 
 
In the last one year we've also customized the app to suite the demands of the Indian market. We launched cash in India and taken it to multiple new markets across the world. We've also launched bikes and autos in India. From a product perspective we believe our product and technology is far superior to any competitor, be it a <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=didi&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Didi</a>,<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=ola&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Ola</a> or Lyft. 
 
What were your initial thoughts about the company’s operability in India? 
I was working in the US for over 17 years and when my wife and I were in India on a vacation - Uber was a life saver for me. I was sold on how easy it was for me to get around the cities in India using Uber. 
 
That point has been proven with phenomenal number of riders joining the Uber platform because it's affordable, safe and more convenient. What I didn't have a view before I joined Uber was the phenomenal impact this product and service had on the driver community and how it has fundamentally changed the lives of hundred of thousands of drivers in India. 
 
How do you build a core business function keeping in mind the requirements of each state govt.? 
We continue to educate governments help understand our point-of-view and tell people why the service is better for the driver-base. If something is beneficial to society, a progressive govt. will embrace it. 
 
We’re in conversation with various governments to help frame regulation for the space. 
 
Have they been receptive, in understanding some of the laws dating back to 1988 need bits of tweaking? 
More than tweaking it’s about the policy you create. We’re talking about a new policy for a new space. All our interactions have been inputs about what the new policy should look like. 
 
These discussions take time. The central govt. has created a set of guidelines. We’re working with each state government to make those guidelines into regulations. 
 
What are your core leadership values? 
For us it’s about believing you’re doing the right thing. We’re a company of smart people who hire the smartest and let builders build. It’s about creating an environment where everyone has a mission and vision, and a measurable outcome that they’re working towards. We don’t believe in hierarchy, and believe in elimination of bureaucracy at every level. 
 
What is the learning that you want to apply to Indian market? 
It’s all about increasing efficiency. If a car’s not being utilized, or has to drive a longer distance to pick up a rider, you’re low on efficiency. That will win in the long term. 
 
Take on the Indian startup ecosystem? 
You’re seeing more innovation and people taking risks to become entrepreneurs. That’s very necessary for the country. 
 
You may have seen come changes in valuation in the bigger companies, but overall it’s a healthy ecosystem that has attracted much investment and enthusiasm. 
 
What does it take to land a job in Uber? 
You have got to have a passion for the company and what it's trying to solve. You've got to be a hustler, someone who's going to get more done with less. You've got to be optimistic and super-charged, and that's the only way to achieve more than what you expect from yourself. 
And of course you need skills that'll help you with the job.

Exclusive: Uber’s product and technology is superior
than any competitor, be it a Didi, Ola or Lyft, says Uber India Head Amit Jain

From co-founding <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/He-dropped-out-of-his-MBA-course-but-cracked-a-400mn-deal-with-Indias-hottest-start-up/articleshow/46873888.cms">FreeCharge </a>to making it the most transactive e-commerce sites in India, <keyword id="127478" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sandeep-Tandon">Sandeep Tandon</keyword> did it all. Innovation and great planning is the key to the outstanding growth of his most successful venture in India. The game changed in April 2015 when <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/This-is-what-Snapdeal-shopped-for-Rs-2800-cr-on-Wednesday-its-most-expensive-purchase-till-date/articleshow/46860433.cms">Snapdeal</a> acquired the online mobile recharge platform in the largest <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Snapdeal-acquires-Letsgomo-Labs/articleshow/47677256.cms">e-commerce deal</a> ever in Indian market history, a whopping $400 million dollar deal.
 

	The game is not over yet, it seems. In chat with Business Insider India, Sandeep reveals about his new ventures fuelled by Modi’s Make in India campaign.
 

	How has your experience been in the Indian market?
 

	India presents a tremendous opportunity with its large base of youth entering the workforce and in turn the consumer space. The main thing which I like about the Indian market is that the people are aspiring and willing to learn. The talent pool is well educated and energetic. There are many opportunities for innovative business models to thrive and disrupt the norm. Western business models may work in India, but to be truly successful, they have to re-invent to adapt to the Indian sensibilities.
 

	Innovation in India will thrive with the discerning consumer who is brand conscious yet price sensitive and always loves a good deal. 
 

	Moreover, the large market enables an entrepreneur to quickly validate a new concept by getting some meaningful and timely feedback.
 

	What is your opinion about <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/7-incredible-things-that-we-can-imbibe-from-birthday-boy-Narendra-Modi/articleshow/48987595.cms">Narendra Modi</a> and the govt’s role in helping start-ups in India?
 It’s great to see the Prime Minister and the Government recognizing the evolving start-up culture in the country. There are lot of things that they could do to help the ecosystem. Like, make it easier to invest in start-ups, give them tax breaks, provide more government grants and start incubators around the country, not just in metro cities, where people can come and access mentoring resources. I am glad that that the PM also sees innovation and <keyword id="107737" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Entrepreneurship">entrepreneurship</keyword> as the key to jobs – this midset itself will be great for the eco system. 

	What are the projects that you are currently working on?
 I have always believed that the <keyword id="6395867" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="manufacturing-sector">manufacturing sector</keyword> in India has to expand in order to create jobs for the youth coming into the Indian workforce. The government’s <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Budget-2015-16-Customising-Make-in-India-to-get-Internationalattention/articleshow/46262058.cms">Make in India</a> initiative excites me as it can have a far-reaching socio economic impact across the country. It also, will provide a voice to Indian developed products.
 

	In this effort our group has set up an electronics manufacturing company - Syrma Technology. At Syrma, we provide engineering design and manufacturing services that can scale from supporting the next hardware start-up to multinationals with an established product pipeline. Over the last year, Syrma has partnered with some very unique Indian and Global companies that are due to launch very innovative products in consumer and industrial electronics.
 

	Another area of interest is healthcare here I believe that access to quality healthcare has to improve while at the same time costs should reduce. Our operating business – Infinx Healthcare has been working on some very interesting healthcare information technology products which we believe will reduce the overall cost of administering healthcare.
 

	Outside of our operating companies, I continue to invest and mentor start-ups in consumer Internet, m-commerce and pure play technology.
 

	What are your future initiatives?
 

	I really believe in Indian start-ups. I believe they can change the world we live in. And my goal is just to ensure all my time is spent in investing, inventing and driving new businesses that are solving India’s problems and thereby the world’s problems.
 

	I strongly believe in Make in India and that manufacturing needs to be done in India. You can’t just solve India’s problems through services industry; you really need a manufacturing industry.
 

	These are the two areas I am focussing on.

Exclusive: FreeCharge co-founder is already planning a killer new venture!

India has witnessed rapid growth in recent years driven by the increase in new-age industries. The increase in purchasing power has resulted in the demand for a new level of quality of service. However, there is a growing shortage of skilled manpower in the country. In the wake of the changing economic environment, it is necessary to focus on inculcating and advancing the skill sets of the young population of the country.
 
India lags far behind in imparting skill training as compared to other countries. Reports indicate that only 10% of the total workforce in the country receives some kind of skill training (2% with formal training and 8% with informal training). Further, 80% of the entrants into the workforce do not have the opportunity for skill training. But all that is changing. 
 
The other day when I was at speaking at the African Development Conference at Harvard, I was excited to share the present government’s interest in the skill building in India. Our Prime Minister has become the brand ambassador of skilling as he passionately mentions ‘Skilling India’ in each of his speeches without fail during his tours beyond the shores of the country. The new government has also been able to recognize the disparities in the extent to which young people have been able to acquire formal skills. 
 
Realizing this need the government has made provisions for upgrading skills under multiple disciplines and allocated resources across the length &amp; breadth of the country. To list a few, the centre is taking efforts to come up with a legislation to set up a <keyword id="6418027" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Skill-development">Skill Development</keyword> University. Further, a separate Ministry for Skills Development &amp; Entrepreneurship has been tasked to coordinate and streamline multiple skill development initiatives undertaken by the government to build a skilled &amp; employable India. The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, recently gave its approval for the Pradhan Mantri KaushalVikasYojana (PMKVY) with an outlay of Rs1500 crore. 
 
Being the largest partner of <keyword id="6380206" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="NSDC">NSDC</keyword> for the second year in a row, we harbor dreams to provide workforce to power global youth. Our youth is our biggest strength and we have to entrench ‘dignity for labor in the minds of Indians. As a country, India has a strong surplus in working population (age 15-50), which has helped the nation to maintain the momentum in the growth story. A significant portion of this demographic dividend lies in rural areas, which is Centum Learning’s primary area of focus. With presence in 383 districts in India, we are now customizing training as per the requirements of the industries and doing our bit to bridge the skills shortage. 
 
 
Have the promises made by the industry been fulfilled? 
 
There has been visible effort by the Government to meet their promises on skill development in the country for empowerment of its citizens. The Finance Minister has rightly recognized the most critical aspect, which is taking a step towards effective implementation of the Right to Education Act. Also, the allocation to National Skill Development Fund will aid in capacity building and developing skilled human resource to meet growing demand for India Inc. Another major highlight is the provision of fiscal incentives to the private sector for setting up vocational and skill development institutions. This has motivated a lot of private sector organizations to lay emphasis on the sector. 
 
An increase in budgetary allocation for primary education is a long awaited requirement that been met. National Skill Development Agency is encouraging innovation in skills development and promoting entrepreneurship in the country. The newly set up Skills Ministry is determined to encourage innovative ideas and modules in skill development landscape and at the same time assist the youth of the country in the skilling and entrepreneurial domain, to translate the vision of the Government into a concrete reality. With focus on self-employment as a key aspect to job creation, the Government has chalked out a plan to set up incubation centres at all districts across the country to train budding entrepreneurs. 
 
The Government has also decided to revamp the antiquated industrial training centres that will skill over 20 lakh youth annually and devise special courses based on industry needs. All these are positive signs to show that the government’s promise of skilling 500 million will be achieved in due course of time. 
 
Now, the Govt should incentivize industry to spend 50% of their CSR funds on skills training and Government should match the same. 
 
Ground reality of skill development industry 
 
Unemployment of youth is a ticking time bomb that is perilously close to exploding with the young population that we have. Soon, three of every four people will be 20 years of age. Despite growing as a developing country, the economy has not created youth friendly labor market where millions of young Indians descend every year, creating rising youth unemployment. 
 
The lack of jobs or a limited number of jobs, ineffectual vocational training, lack of skills development, unrealistic expectations from jobs, lack of entrepreneurship, absenteeism in school, early dropouts and a myriad of other factors have given rise to youth unemployment. Growth in economies has not led to a resultant increase in formal jobs or a youth-friendly labor market. The situation is further exacerbated with an influx of youth from rural areas to populous urban centers. 
 
As in other developing countries and countries that have recently bridged the chasm to become developed nations, the problem perhaps also lies in perception and inadequate transition from school to the workplace. Youth are keen to get employment in formal sectors to get full-time employment, which may even offer benefits such as healthcare and paid holidays, instead of pursuing jobs in the informal or traditional sectors that may be seasonal. 
 
Our leaders have recognized this crisis and the Indian Government has taken steps to initiate action to tackle this flashpoint before it explodes. But these are not enough, and the government in isolation cannot tackle such a mammoth problem. The biggest challenge in the Indian ecosystem lies in finding out how to make skilling programmes aspirational? How do you create a desire or need in the mind of people to get pursue skill development programmes vis-à-vis a pure educational course? 
 
As our skill development minister, Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy recently said, “the day I find a matrimonial advertisement where the bride or groom is vocationally skilled, I would feel that our initiatives have made some impact.” A welcome step in this direction is the recent announcement where over 11,000 ITIs and other apprentice &amp; training divisions, which were earlier with Ministry of Labour, will now be integrated with the Ministry of Skill Development &amp; Entrepreneurship. 
 
Another big challenge facing the implementation and execution of any skills development-related scheme is reaching out, educating and motivating youth in the rural and remote parts of the country. With over thirty years of experience in Training &amp; Development, we have realized that the only way to increase the efficiency of the employees in the corporate sector is through innovative training methodologies which need to be upgraded from time to time. At Centum Learning we have adopted off-beat training modules which can be as simple and varied as story telling or Team building using theatre workshops. Depending on the clients, Centum Learning, which believes in the mantra of “Business of positive transformation”, has devised training modules which can enhance business results and develop skills as per industry requirements. 
 
There cannot be a more opportune time to consider how closely a nation’s growth agenda is aligned with the skill-level of its manpower. We are playing a key role in evangelizing skilling like a religion in India and making youth job-ready so that in turn they can make India a manufacturing hub in order to fulfill PM’s vision of ‘Make in India’. 
 
Manufacturing cannot become a growth driver if the lack of skilled workers continues to be the greatest constraint in this journey. A survey conducted in 2014 reveals thataround 78 per cent of the surveyed employers said they are concerned with the growing skills gap in India while 57 per cent said they currently have open positions for which they cannot find qualified candidates. So, the Government needs to pursue the two pronged approach of creating jobs in the manufacturing sector and encouraging multi-stakeholder partnerships to impart relevant, “employment worthy” skills. It is good that Skill development is garnering so much interest from both the government and the industry. The fact that this space is growing and large players with pedigree and Governance standards are entering is good for the sector. 
 
Government should make vocational education mandatory for women not pursuing full time education. Jobs and hiring in India needs to shift from being 'qualification based' to 'skill based'. With ‘BetiBachao, BetiPadhao’ and ‘Digital India’ schemes being rolled out by the Government, youth and especially women must be compulsorily taught to use computers and be skilled (in any field) in order to get acquire an id card (maybe something like a BPL card) . Government also needs to take specific steps for differently-abled people and help create job opportunities for them by building relationships with employer and industry groups. If the Government can get the major chunk of the above target groups in its umbrella, the dream of empowering and transforming lives will be achieved to a great extent. 
 
 
Challenges galore 
 
The tragedy is that less than 2% of India's workforce has formal skills and even among those who have some sort of training or qualification, only a third today, are armed withemployable skills amounting to a colossal waste of our biggest asset: people power. The perception of educated parents that everyone had to be either a doctor or an engineer -- a hangover to the mindset of the 1960s and 70s -- has tragically hamstrung efforts at skill building at its most important stage -- during school. Admittedly there has been realization that school-level skilling can lead to satisfying, lucrative careers. CBSE now offers some 50 vocational courses and the school management is now encouraging students to discover original or innovative talents in themselves. 
 
A trishul of talents need to coalesce before skills can be translated into gainful employment: technical skills, domain knowledge, and soft skills. The first two are a matter of training and application. The final, presents some rather nuanced, challenges and the needless roadblocks need to be addressed with sensitivity. 
 
Today whether you are a beautician or a tour guide or a taxi driver, a working knowledge of English is a force multiplier when it comes to employability. In Bengaluru, which is home to the largest number of MNC tech companies in India, a headhunter tells me, a licensed driver, maintenance engineer or a nursing assistant who can speak and read English, can straight away add 50 percent to his or her pay packet. This is something that Governments- both at the State and Central levels are beginning to take cognizance of. 
 
But the biggest bottleneck in the skills space is getting the students to the classrooms and retaining them there. Government and training partners need to work together to ensure that the candidate is incentivized to attend classes through industry aligned courses, relevant training methodology, deeper connect with jobs and industry so that they themselves can see their career path ahead. 
 
The larger training players also need to harness technology wherever available -- digital solutions, smart tools, Internet-driven delivery -- to achieve the required scale and maybe even for large scale mobilization. 
 
We must also recognize that at basic levels, one has to contend with low aspiration levels, coupled with lack of capacity to pay. This has to be addressed with sensitivity that can be best achieved by government-funded programmes, executed by large training partners who have the ability to scale up. For mid-level skills, both government and private enterprises can join in the funding -- but we need to recognize that corporates tend to skill as per their requirements. 
 
It is time to recognize that a placement need not necessarily be accompanied by a wage. Many skills, from electrician to care giver for the aged, lend themselves to gainful self-employment and can account for as much as 30-40% of all skill acquirers. 
 
Skilling India to empower her citizens and to equip them to compete and excel on a globalmaidan is a multi-pronged challenge. We need our engineers and doctors and business executives and we also need many times those who bring a rainbow of heterogeneous skills to drive the engine that is India. And sometimes we discover in ourselves skills and talents for which we were not necessarily trained, but which constitute a coming together of head and heart. 
 
The article is authored by Sanjeev Duggal, CEO and MD of Centum Learning, a corporate training firm.

Skill development in India is growing but a lot more needs to be done

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image">Mike Nudelman/Business Insider</div></div></div>Like many Texans and Americans, Jason Villalba loves Sriracha. 
Villalba, a Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives, puts it on, or in, just about anything. Eggs. Pho, the Vietnamese noodle soup. Even lasagna. 
"I've been a huge fan for the last decade," Villalba told Business Insider in an interview.
But lately, Villalba and other Texas Republicans have taken a different interest in Sriracha. They want the company to move its operations from California to the Lone Star State, in light of what they say are California's crushing regulations, high taxation, and burdensome cost of living.
The hot sauce has become a major topic of conversation in both Texas - where the state's Republicans are looking to score another business victory over California Democrats - and in California, where its Republicans are using the opportunity to slam the state's regulations and high taxation.
It even reached up to U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, who <a href="https://twitter.com/SenTedCruz/status/458327761552412672" target="_blank">tweeted last week</a> the company would be "welcome with open arms and eager taste buds." In California, Republican gubernatorial candidate Neel Kashkari tweeted it was time to "stand with Sriracha": 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
RT if you're tired of gov't regulations killing jobs. I stand with Sriracha against big gov't. <a href="http://t.co/YXtse0IvOi">http://t.co/YXtse0IvOi</a> <a href="http://t.co/0xVKsMvq7T">pic.twitter.com/0xVKsMvq7T</a>
- Neel Kashkari (@neelkashkari) <a href="https://twitter.com/neelkashkari/statuses/457337813403308032">April 19, 2014</a></blockquote>

"I think we're at a tipping point," Villalba said. "When you start to overburden the creators of jobs, ultimately the creators of jobs have to consider alternatives."
On May 12, Villalba will lead a delegation from Texas to California to tour the Sriracha facility in Irwindale and meet with David Tran, the CEO of Huy Fong Foods, Inc. Joining Villalba in the delegation are Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples and one of the top aides to Texas Attorney General and Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott. 
Together, they will look to take advantage of a recent dispute between Huy Fong and the Irwindale City Council, using it as their main argument in an attempt to convince Tran to bring Sriracha to Texas. 
Villalba originally took an interest in the Sriracha possibility in January, when he wrote a letter to Tran inviting him to move operations to Texas. That came about a month after a <a href="http://www.latimes.com/food/dailydish/la-dd-partial-shutdown-sriracha-plant-20131127,0,2432901.story#axzz30OY6eXnQ" target="_blank">Los Angeles County Superior Court judge ruled</a> Huy Fong Foods needed to halt any production that could cause chili odors. The city of Irwindale sued the company in October, citing complaints from residents who claimed the odor from production was a public hazard.
Two weeks ago, <a href="http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-sriracha-hearing-20140409,0,1664872.story#axzz2ytSSis7u" target="_blank">the Irwindale City Council voted unanimously</a> to declare the smell of the hot sauce a public nuisance, despite promises from the company that they would work to mitigate the smell by June. 
In reaching out to Villalba to invite him to tour the facility, Tran told him he fears the city won't accept any solution. (Huy Fong didn't respond to a request for comment on this story.) Villalba also said more than 60% of the complaints about the smell have come from only a handful of households. 
"I'll bet they never had any anticipation in one-thousand years that a city council could shut them down during the most important time of their processing merely because a handful of individuals from the community claim they had an itchy nose," Villalba said.
Because of its popularity, the Sriracha situation has provided Villalba and other Texas Republicans with a media-friendly story for what they say is a larger trend - businesses are leaving places like California and coming to Texas. Republican Gov. Rick Perry has been actively poaching businesses from all over the United States, but some of the most noteworthy have come from California.
On Tuesday, Toyota <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/toyota-is-moving-its-us-headquarters-from-california-to-texas-2014-4" target="_blank">announced it would move its U.S. headquarters</a> from California to Texas. Dairy company Hilmar Cheese just built a new, state-of-the-art facility in Texas, in addition to its plant in Hilmar, Calif. HID Global, a identity, identification and security corporation, <a href="http://governor.state.tx.us/news/press-release/19240/" target="_blank">recently announced</a> it is moving its global headquarters from Irvine, Calif., to Austin.
<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image">Courtesy of Todd StaplesStaples, here, on the phone with a company trying to bring it to Texas.</div></div></div>These are some of the examples cited by Staples, the state's agriculture commissioner, of the trend. He told Business Insider in an interview there are many more. Minutes before he spoke with Business Insider on Tuesday, he said he was on the phone with a company interested in moving its operations to the Lone Star State. Overall, Texas' trade and business development division spends hours each day speaking with companies.
"It's an indicator of the distinct differences in the basic philosophies of Texas vs., for instance, California," Staples said. "The proof's in the pudding. From 2008 to June of 2013, California lost almost a half a million jobs, and Texas added more than 600,000 jobs. And it's because of a philosophy of providing that partnership and opportunity for private-sector growth."
On a larger scope, Occidental Petroleum Corp. said in February it would move from Los Angeles to Houston. In 2009, power company Calpine Corp left San Jose for Houston. And back in 2006, engineering company Fluor Corp. moved from Orange County to the Dallas area. 
The Sriracha developments, and others, have made California Republicans worry. Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, the leading Republican gubernatorial candidate to oppose Gov. Jerry Brown, said he wouldn't blame Huy Fong if they decided to move. 
In an interview, Donnelly said the Sriracha example makes clear the problem California - that too much power is concentrated in the hands of too few in the state and local governments. 
"It's hard to blame anybody for leaving California," he said. "I've reached out to them and said, 'Let us help you.' I'd rather they stay here and those jobs stay here, because once they leave, it's almost impossible to get them back. A company that's moving out is not going to move back in."

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