Cautioning that the country would be requiring skilled labour on a large scale, finance minister Pranab Mukherjee said there is need for the creation of sector-wise skill councils on the guidelines of the National Skill Development Corporation. ?If India were to continue its high growth trajectory, it would be all because of the national skill policy formulated to meet the needs of the industry,? he said while inaugurating the 24th All India Builders? Convention, a flagship event of the Builders? Association of India here on Sunday.
?In another 10 years, the country might need 3.3 crore skilled workforce to handle different types of jobs and there should be a proper mechanism to meet this challenge,? he said, adding, ?the councils can forge tie-ups with various industries to develop required skill pool?. Saying that investment in construction sector could contribute 52% of the gross fixed capital formulation, the minister said technology could bring in perceptible changes in the construction sector as most of the infrastructure projects carry with them the element of social and economic objective, though the ultimate aim is to take forward the economic development of the nation to the next level.
?It is necessary to bridge the large gaps in infrastructure projects, all for sustaining the high growth of the economy in the years to come,? he said. ?The 12th Plan has the provision to carry out infrastructure projects worth Rs 41 lakh crore.?
The minister said he wants the members of the Builders’ Association of India to take care of the housing deficits in the country and address the menace of urbanisation happening in an unplanned manner, as the next 25 years would see the urban population doubling.
Later, speaking to reporters, Mukherjee hinted at evolving a solution during the coming Budget session to break the impasse over the opposition demand for a JPC probe into the 2G spectrum allocation scam to ensure smooth proceedings in the House. ?I do hope it will be possible for us to find a solution so that the Budget session happens smoothly,? he said. ?We would hold discussions with various political parties in this regard?.
Meanwhile, speaking at the event, Union minister of state for shipping G K Vasan said the country needs more public-private partnership projects in areas like port development, real estate and shipping. He also said the maritime agenda on shipping and port development would make the country see tremendous growth in the Indian maritime sector in the coming days.