Release of Training Manuals for Barefoot Technicians (MGNREGA) and for Contractors & Field Engineers (PMGSY) and Impact Assessment Study of PMGSY Roads

Ms. Sandra Polaski, ILO Deputy Director General (Policy) inaugurated the release of the Training Manuals for Barefoot Technicians (MGNREGA) and for the Contractors and Field Engineers under the PMGSY Project. Ms. Polaski also released the “Impact Assessment Study of Improved Rural Road Maintenance System under the PMGSY”. Ms. Polaski highlighted the need for India to adapt its labour policies as its economy transitions from agriculture to manufacturing in order to achieve Sustainable Development Goals.

Training manuals for barefoot technicians (MGNREGA) and contractors & field engineers (PMGSY) as well as impact assessment study of PMGSY roads were launched at an event jointly organized by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, and the ILO at Vigyan Bhawan on 6 October 2015 during the visit of Ms. Sandra Polaski, Deputy Director-General (Policy), ILO.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister for Rural Development, Government of India, Shri Birender Singh, said that better training and skills development will not only contribute to creation of durable and good quality works but also more sustainable maintenance of assets. It will also provide employment and will give horizontal and vertical mobility to these young women and men especially to those from vulnerable sections of society.

In her address, Ms.Sandra Polaski, DDG (Policy), ILO, commended the Government of India for their leadership and efforts in overcoming the challenges in rural employment through these flagship schemes and other programmes. She thanked the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India for the opportunity for this technical partnership, which will not only support the schemes of the government, but also contribute to global innovations in the field of public employment and infrastructure development.