Manipur signs MoUs for 21 DDU-GKY 2.0 projects with NABCONS, migration support service providers and 20 implementing agencies to strengthen skill development and youth employment.
Imphal, Oct. 22: The Manipur State Rural Livelihoods Mission (MSRLM) on Thursday signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with multiple agencies for the implementation of 21 projects under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) 2.0, as Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh emphasised the importance of skill development, self-help groups and livelihood initiatives in empowering rural communities and creating employment opportunities for the youth.
The MoU-signing ceremony was held at the Main Conference Hall of the Manipur Secretariat, Mantripukhri, Imphal, with the Chief Minister highlighting the need to equip young people with employable skills and strengthen livelihood opportunities for rural women.
The agreements were signed with NABARD Consultancy Services (NABCONS), designated as the Project Appraisal Agency; service providers managing Migration Support Centres in Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru and Hyderabad; and 20 newly empanelled Project Implementing Agencies tasked with implementing the 21 projects under DDU-GKY 2.0.
The programme marks a step towards implementing the second phase of the rural skill development initiative in Manipur, building on the training and employment outcomes achieved under DDU-GKY 1.0.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh underscored the role of skill development programmes in expanding employment opportunities, observing that the Government alone could not provide jobs to all young people.
He stressed that initiatives such as DDU-GKY were important in equipping youth with employable skills and connecting them with job opportunities. He expressed hope that the second phase would build on the achievements of the earlier programme and provide greater employment opportunities to young people in the coming years.
Recalling his tenure as Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, the Chief Minister appreciated the sincerity and dedication of the department's officials and staff. He stated that whenever challenges were brought to his attention during his tenure, he had made efforts to examine the issues and address them.
Highlighting the impact of self-help groups (SHGs), Khemchand Singh observed that livelihood initiatives and training programmes had brought positive changes to the lives of rural women. He cited examples of women who had reduced their daily expenditure on paan after participating in training activities, enabling them to save money and improve their financial well-being.
His remarks highlighted the potential of livelihood programmes to encourage savings, strengthen household finances and promote greater economic participation among rural women.
Referring to the achievements under DDU-GKY 1.0 during the 2019–2025 Action Plan period, the Chief Minister stated that around 8,866 candidates had been trained, of whom 5,946 had secured employment in Manipur.
He expressed gratitude to the Union Government for its support and described the placement of nearly 70 per cent of trained candidates as an encouraging achievement for the State.
The Chief Minister expressed confidence that DDU-GKY 2.0 would build on these results and expand opportunities for the youth through structured training and employment support.
The reported training and placement figures underline the role of the programme in helping rural youth acquire skills and access employment. The implementation of the new projects is expected to extend these efforts through the participating agencies.
Under the agreements signed during the ceremony, NABARD Consultancy Services will serve as the Project Appraisal Agency, while designated service providers will manage Migration Support Centres in Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru and Hyderabad.
MSRLM also entered into agreements with 20 newly empanelled Project Implementing Agencies for the execution of 21 projects under DDU-GKY 2.0.
The participating organisations will contribute to the implementation framework for the programme, which focuses on skill development and employment opportunities for rural youth. The Migration Support Centres are part of the support arrangements for candidates seeking employment in major urban centres outside Manipur.
The agreements establish the institutional partnerships required for the implementation of the new projects, with the programme seeking to build on the outcomes achieved during the first phase.
The programme also featured the sharing of success stories by candidates who had secured employment under DDU-GKY 1.0.
The accounts highlighted the experiences of beneficiaries who had accessed employment opportunities through the programme's training and placement initiatives.
Deputy Chief Minister and Minister-in-Charge of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Nemcha Kipgen participated in the programme through video conference.
Chief Secretary Rajeev Singh, Commissioner of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Sumant Singh, and officers and officials of MSRLM, among others, attended the ceremony.
The signing of the MoUs for 21 projects under DDU-GKY 2.0 represents a further step in Manipur's efforts to expand skill development and employment support for rural youth, while the emphasis on self-help groups reflects the continuing importance of livelihood initiatives in strengthening the economic position of rural women.
