Shillong, June 12: Following the ban on coal mining in the State of Meghalaya and as directed by the NGT Committee, the Labour Department through the Meghalaya State Skill Development Society (MSSDS) with the support of Aide et Action (NGO) conducted a two week long Community Mobilisation Drive in May 2019 to sensitize the general public, particularly those affected by the coal mining ban, and to offer them various short-term skill training programmes.
This initiative was organised with an aim to make people aware about the objectives and benefits under the programme. It seeks to address the challenges faced by the community by providing them with an opportunity to enrol themselves into various government sponsored skill training programmes as an alternate livelihood option that can ensure sustainability.
During the two-week long Community Mobilisation Drive, efforts were made to reach out to the people in various areas and corners of the two districts through home visits, awareness programmes, poster campaigns and mobile announcements with the support of the Directorate of Information & Public Relations.
There were a considerable number of people who participated in these awareness programmes and the total reach-out is 1191 covering over 1606 number of households and around 147 candidates registered themselves for various skill training programme that includes Integrated Farming, Service Sector Trades like Hospitality, Security Guard, General Duty, Assistant, Fashion Designing, Integrated Farming, Pottery and other Native Crafts and many more.
The participants were encouraged to take advantage of the various skill training programmes offered by the government and also to contact the nearest DC office every Tuesday from 10 AM to 4 PM for more details and enrolment.
