Junagarh: A training centre for various professional courses has been lying closed for decades in Junagarh area of Kalahandi district. There has been no effort to revive it, a report said.
According to the report, the government had set up a Training –cum-production Centre (TCPC) at Junagarh in 1950 so as to impart training to unemployed youths on various trades like carpentry, ice engine, tile-making and sewing. About 50 youths could get training in a batch. Teachers and trainers had been appointed.
However, the old institute lost its relevance in 1961 after the government set up an ITI at Bhawanipatana. TCPC gradually became paralysed and finally shut down.
In 1989-90, the teachers and the staff of the institute, who were appointed by the SC/ST welfare department, lost their jobs. Costly machines and implements were shifted to the Hirakud ITI and Bhawanipatana ITI. Two acres of land used by the TCPC are lying unused.
In the old building of the TCPC, office of the government treasury was operating for a few years. After the treasury office was shifted to the tehsil office, the horticulture office functioned from the TCPC building for some years.
Now, the old building is lying abandoned while its premises play host to anti-social elements day and night, locals alleged.
In 2018-19, the government had initiated steps for revival of the TCPC. Two of its building near Indravati Colony were restored at a cost of Rs 20 lakh. However, contractors botched up the work and minted money.
These two buildings are in a dilapidated state. “Buildings and land are there. Thousands of youths are unemployed. But the government has not taken any steps to equip the institute with adequate resources to revive it. Many educated youths of the area could benefit from it, if they are imparted training,” locals lamented.
They also pointed out that for lack of skill training, youths of the area migrate to other states in search of jobs.
The government is opening mini ITIs in each block, this TCPC can be made use for the purpose, they suggested.
Locals demanded that the government should consider revival of the institute, which has produced scores of successful people in the region.