BHUBANESWAR: The Government of Odisha announced on Wednesday, July 28, that they will be setting up livelihood centres and skill development facilities for the urban poor youth in the state. The centres will work towards developing entrepreneurial thinking and also help in placement. Pratap Jena, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Government of Odisha, added that the centres will be built in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Berhampur, Dhenkanal, Paradip, and Jatni. He further stated that more areas will be covered later in a phased manner.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development will be spearheading the programme in collaboration with Lighthouse Communities Foundation (LCF). The programme will come under the third phase of the JAGA mission. Jaga, literally meaning ‘place’ in Odia, is about integrating the urban poor settlements into the heartline of the city by providing them upgraded facilities.
In the mission’s third phase, the focus would be laid on providing skills and better opportunities for the poor youth in the state. In its initial two phases, the JAGA mission worked on providing financial assistance for upgrading basic infrastructures and amenities for those living in slums.