Maha Cabinet approves establishment of State Skill University, allocates Rs 50 cr

HC had asked SRA to evict 13,000 illegal occupants who sold their houses before the lock-in period

The state Cabinet on Wednesday approved the establishment of Maharashtra State Skill University and to present the related bill in the ensuing budget session of the state legislature beginning March 1. Minister of Skill and Entrepreneurship Nawab Malik told Free Press Journal, "The proposed university will be helpful in the development of new skill sets in the wake of emerging new technologies. It will create a workforce that will be acceptable worldwide. The government has proposed Rs 500 crore funding for the next 10 years with the budgetary allocation of Rs 50 crore every year to the proposed university.’’ Malik said the university will be operational in two years adding that it will become selfsustainable after 10 years. ‘’ Site for the proposed university is being looked for in Mumbai, Thane, and a couple of other places. The connectivity and availability of qualified staff will be considered while selecting the site,’’ he noted. With today’s cabinet approval, Maharashtra will join the bandwagon in the establishment of Skill Development University. Already there are 8 such universities established of which there are one each in Rajasthan and Haryana are public while two public skill universities are proposed in Andhra Pradesh. In addition, private skill universities have been set up in Rajasthan, West Bengal, Odisha and Maharashtra.

The cabinet gave approval considering the large network of industry groups in Maharashtra and the huge employment opportunities. ‘’The purpose of establishing a Skills University is to create a manpower capable of technical capabilities and various skills as per the demand of the industry. Mumbai is the financial capital of the country and it is the Headquarters of many national , international as well as private companies like Banking , Financial services, insurance, pharmaceuticals, Hospitality, Oil, Gas, Minerals, FNCG, Energy. The development of human capital will help the state as a whole.

In order to inoculate maximum number of front-line workers, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is planning to arrange one single day vaccination drive for the workers of the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST).

Amid the pandemic outbreak, the BEST had emerged to be the lifeline of Mumbai in the absence of local trains. Now that the cases in the city have started to rise again, senior officials of the civic body and BEST administration have shared their concern towards the workers. Since the pandemic broke out nearly 2,917 BEST workers have been infected so far, even though the recovery rate of the patients has been above 95 percent, the administration is reluctant to take any risk.

Earlier this week, in a high profile meeting between senior civic and BEST officials, the plan of conducting the special vaccination drive was discussed.

The officials stated, the drive could be arranged on weekend and the reserve staffers of hospitals could be deployed for logistical support.

“The idea was proposed to us and we are open to conduct a special vaccination drive for the BEST workers,” Suresh Kakani, BMC additional municipal commissioner told FPJ.

“The drive will be kept on weekends and out of 23 vaccination centres in Mumbai we can dedicate five hospitals for the special drive, 50 percent of the logistical facilities along with the reserve staffers, could be used for logistical support,” Kakani added.

The proposal of arranging the special drive was floated by BEST Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Anil Kumar Singhal in the meeting.

Shiv Sena senior leader and Ex Legislator Vinod Ghosalkar has opposed the eviction of illegal occupants, an action initiated by the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA). Eviction cannot be a solution instead protection should be given, said Ghosalkar.

He stated, "Like SRA, thousands of tenants are also illegally living in transit houses of Mumbai Repair building and Redevelopment Board (MBRRB), an undertaking of Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority's (MHADA). Already a policy regarding same is at consideration stage. Similarly, for SRA occupants based on humanity ground some penalty should be imposed or should be asked to pay construction cost, to be lawful occupants of the said property." A Policy decision regarding same should be taken at state level and sena leaders will put forth this demand, he asserted.

Interestingly, Bharatiya Janata the Party (BJP) legislator Ashish Shelar along with other legislators also handed over a letter to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on the same issue appealing not to make SRA rehab house tenants homeless along with abolition of Non-agriculatural tax to the housing societies located in suburbs of Mumbai.

Reportedly, the Bombay High Court on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) had asked SRA to evict 13,000 illegal occupants who sold their rehab/free houses before 10 years lock-in period.

Satish Lokhande Chief Executive Officer, SRA said, "Due to lockdown no action was taken but now we are following court order. Also the matter is before Chief Justice of Bombay High Court who has asked to file 'reply' in four weeks time on the said matter."

While with Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections to be held by next year, Political parties tur ning to be saviour for these illegal SRA occupants in a bid to woo voters, believe political experts.