Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, accompanied by Tourism, Culture, Religious Trusts and Endowments Minister Rajesh Agrawal and Skill Development, Technical Education, Employment and Scheduled Caste Development Minister Guru Khushwant Saheb, witnesses the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Chhattisgarh Government and Bhilai Steel Plant (SAIL) at Mahanadi Bhawan in Raipur on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. The agreement, signed under the PM-SETU scheme, aims to modernise government ITIs in the Durg cluster and provide industry-oriented technical training to young people..Photo:channel24india.com via CG/CMO

Thirty government ITIs across six clusters to receive modern infrastructure and industry-linked training under PM-SETU; Bhilai Steel Plant and NMDC sign MoUs in Chief Minister Sai’s presence to expand employment, self-employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Key Highlights

• Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai emphasises industry-oriented skill development as a foundation for Viksit Chhattisgarh.
• ₹1,446 crore proposed over five years to modernise 30 government ITIs across six clusters.
• Six hub ITIs and 24 spoke ITIs to form an integrated technical training network.
• Bhilai Steel Plant and NMDC Limited sign MoUs for Durg and Bastar clusters in the Chief Minister’s presence.
• Central Government, State Government and industry partners to contribute 50%, 33% and 17%, respectively.
• Sai stresses that young people must become not only jobseekers but also creators of employment.
• Employment and Skill Development Minister Guru Khushwant Saheb highlights opportunities for technical training and entrepreneurship.

Raipur: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has placed Chhattisgarh’s youth at the centre of the state’s industrial transformation, announcing a major initiative to modernise 30 government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) through a proposed investment of approximately ₹1,446 crore under the Prime Minister’s Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) scheme. In a significant step towards implementation, Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed with Bhilai Steel Plant and NMDC Limited for the Durg and Bastar clusters, respectively, in the Chief Minister’s presence at Mahanadi Bhawan, the State Secretariat, on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.

Sai: Skilled Youth Will Drive the Development of Chhattisgarh

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai emphasised that equipping young people with modern technical knowledge and practical industrial skills remains among the highest priorities of his government.

He said technological advancements and changing industrial requirements demand a training system capable of preparing young people for emerging employment opportunities.

Highlighting the government’s vision, Sai said:

“Empowering the youth of Chhattisgarh with skills aligned with modern technology and industrial requirements is among our government’s highest priorities. Training young people according to rapidly changing technologies and industrial needs will create greater opportunities for employment and self-employment and accelerate the development of Viksit Chhattisgarh.”

The Chief Minister underlined that skill development must go beyond conventional classroom instruction and provide practical knowledge relevant to modern industries.

PM Modi’s Vision to Transform ITIs into Centres of Innovation

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Sai said the Union Government has been working to establish a stronger relationship between technical education, employment generation and industrial progress.

He described PM-SETU as an important component of this national vision.

“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, extensive efforts are being made across the country to connect skill development with employment and industrial progress. The PM-SETU scheme is an important part of this visionary approach. In Chhattisgarh, we will develop ITIs not merely as training institutions but as centres of modern skills, innovation, employment and entrepreneurship.”

The scheme envisages the modernisation of 1,000 government ITIs nationwide, backed by an investment provision of approximately ₹60,000 crore.

Its principal objective is to improve the quality of vocational training, modernise institutional infrastructure and align technical education with present and future industrial requirements.

₹1,446 Crore Proposed for Six Industrial Training Clusters

Chhattisgarh has identified six clusters under PM-SETU: Durg, Korba, Surguja, Bastar, Raigarh and Raipur.

The proposed modernisation will cover 30 government ITIs, comprising six hub institutions and 24 spoke institutions.

Proposed investment over five years

₹1,446 crore

30

Government ITIs

6

Industrial clusters

5

Years

Funding participation

Centre 50%

State 33%

Industry 17%

Approximately ₹241 crore proposed per cluster, including ₹81 crore for the hub ITI and ₹40 crore for each of its four spoke ITIs.

The investment will support advanced machinery, modern laboratories, technical equipment and training facilities designed around industry requirements.

Sai: Industries Must Find Skilled Professionals Within Chhattisgarh

The Chief Minister observed that increasing industrial investment in the state is generating greater demand for technically competent professionals.

He stressed the importance of ensuring that local youth benefit directly from these opportunities.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, along with Tourism, Culture, Religious Trusts and Endowments Minister Rajesh Agrawal and Skill Development, Technical Education, Employment and Scheduled Caste Development Minister Guru Khushwant Saheb, witnesses the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Chhattisgarh Government and NMDC Limited at Mahanadi Bhawan in Raipur on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. The partnership under the PM-SETU scheme seeks to upgrade government ITIs in the Bastar cluster, strengthening modern technical education, industrial skills and employment opportunities for tribal and rural youth.Photo:channel24india.com via CG/CMO

“With the expansion of new industries and investments in the state, the demand for trained human resources is also increasing across various sectors. Our endeavour is to ensure that industries find skilled manpower according to their requirements within Chhattisgarh itself, while the youth of the state receive better employment opportunities suited to their skills.”

Sai said closer coordination between industries and training institutions would help reduce the gap between available skills and the actual requirements of employers.

Bhilai Steel Plant to Strengthen Technical Training in Durg

Under the agreement signed in the Chief Minister’s presence, Bhilai Steel Plant, a unit of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), will serve as the anchor industry partner for the Durg cluster.

Government ITI Durg will function as the hub institution, while Government ITI Bhilai, Women’s ITI Bhilai, Government ITI Rajnandgaon and Government ITI Daundilohara will serve as spoke institutions.

Bhilai Steel Plant’s industrial expertise is expected to help modernise technical instruction, introduce practical exposure to contemporary industrial processes and improve the employability of trainees.

Its involvement will also provide opportunities to align training curricula with machinery, technologies and operational practices used in major industrial establishments.

NMDC Partnership to Open New Opportunities for Bastar’s Youth

The Bastar cluster will be supported by NMDC Limited as its anchor industry partner.

Government ITI Bastar will serve as the hub, while the government ITIs at Jagdalpur, Geedam, Kondagaon and Narayanpur will function as spoke institutions.

The partnership is particularly significant for young people in tribal and remote areas, where access to advanced industrial training can be limited.

Highlighting the government’s commitment to equitable opportunities, Sai said:

“Providing quality technical training to young people in tribal and remote regions such as Bastar is a priority of the State Government. The participation of a reputed industrial organisation like NMDC will enable Bastar’s youth to acquire modern industrial skills and help them benefit from employment opportunities emerging locally and elsewhere in the state.”

The initiative is expected to strengthen the connection between vocational education and employment opportunities associated with industrial development.

Industry Partnerships Progress in Korba and Surguja

The State Government has also initiated steps to secure industrial participation in other clusters.

South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) has agreed in principle to participate as the anchor industry partner for the Surguja cluster. Tata IIS has been selected as the operating partner.

The proposal for approval of the MoU has been submitted to the department, while the draft agreement has been forwarded to SECL for necessary modifications.

Similarly, NTPC Korba has conveyed its willingness to participate as the anchor industry partner for the Korba cluster.

The process of selecting an operating partner for this cluster is underway.

Raipur and Raigarh Industry Partner Selection Underway

For the Raipur and Raigarh clusters, the government has initiated the selection of anchor industry partners through the state e-procurement portal.

Queries received from the Hira Group concerning the Raipur cluster have been addressed.

For the Raigarh cluster, preliminary discussions have been held with NTPC Lara regarding possible participation and implementation arrangements.

These developments indicate that the government is pursuing industry partnerships across all six identified clusters, although agreements for the remaining clusters have yet to be finalised.

Hub-and-Spoke Model to Create a Modern Training Network

A defining feature of PM-SETU is its hub-and-spoke structure, intended to facilitate the sharing of modern training resources, specialist expertise and technical infrastructure among institutions.

Hub ITIs will operate as advanced centres with upgraded equipment and specialised training facilities.

The associated spoke ITIs will benefit from access to these resources and expertise, helping extend quality technical education to a wider geographical area.

The model also envisages stronger industry involvement in curriculum development, instructor training and practical learning.

Speaking about the importance of industry participation, Sai said:

“Strong partnerships between industrial training institutes and industries are the most important feature of this scheme. Direct industry participation will enable young people to receive training in technologies and working methods actually used in industrial units. It is essential to bridge the gap between industry requirements and the skills of our youth.”

He added that aligning curricula, equipment and practical experience with industrial needs would improve employment prospects for trained students.

Guru Khushwant Saheb Highlights Employment and Entrepreneurship

Employment, Technical Education and Skill Development Minister Guru Khushwant Saheb described PM-SETU as an important initiative for the future of Chhattisgarh’s young people.

He emphasised that modernising ITIs and involving industries directly in training would improve the quality and relevance of vocational education.

Reflecting his remarks, the Minister said:

“The PM-SETU scheme is an important initiative for the future of the state’s youth. Modernisation of ITIs and direct participation of industries will provide quality, employment-oriented training. Along with skill enhancement, it will create new opportunities for employment and self-employment.”

The Minister’s remarks reinforced the government’s emphasis on developing technical skills that can support both industrial employment and independent enterprise.

Sai Envisions Youth as Job Creators, Not Merely Jobseekers

Chief Minister Sai said the government is working to establish a stronger connection between education, skill development, industrial investment and employment generation.

He observed that young people must be prepared not only for existing jobs but also for emerging technologies and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Articulating his broader vision for Chhattisgarh’s development, Sai said:

“Our goal is that the youth of Chhattisgarh should not merely seek employment but should also create employment through their skills and innovation. Skills will open pathways to jobs, self-employment and entrepreneurship, and the strength of our youth will become a solid foundation for building a developed Chhattisgarh.”

The Chief Minister maintained that the state’s expanding industrial landscape must be supported by a workforce equipped with contemporary technical competencies.

The modernisation of ITIs, he indicated, would help ensure that Chhattisgarh’s young people are better positioned to participate in the state’s economic growth.

Senior Ministers and Industry Officials Attend MoU Ceremony

Cabinet Minister Rajesh Agrawal, Technical Education and Skill Development Department Secretary Basava Raju, Director Hemant Nandanwar, NMDC Executive Director Sanjeev Sahi and SAIL representative Pawan Kumar were among the dignitaries and senior officials present.

Representatives of the participating industrial organisations and concerned government departments also attended the programme at Mahanadi Bhawan.

The signing of the two MoUs marks an important step towards implementing the proposed ITI modernisation programme in Chhattisgarh.

With industrial organisations expected to contribute expertise, technology and financial participation, the initiative seeks to create a training ecosystem in which technical education is closely linked to real employment opportunities.

For the Sai Government, the broader objective is to ensure that Chhattisgarh’s industrial expansion is accompanied by the development of skilled local human resources, strengthening the state’s journey towards Viksit Chhattisgarh.