In Modi 2.0, the proverbial integration of education and skills was signified by having a common boss (Cabinet minister) for both the ministries and it was also well taken though the processes of integration at institutional level on ground continued to look apart. Nonetheless, the Government did achieve change of minds at administrative and faculty level.
With the new Government sworn in on June 9, the previous arrangement has undergone a tweak with Jayant Chaudhary, an alumnus of LSE and chairman of Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) being made Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE). Chaudhary will also hold the job of MoS Education along with Dr. Sukanta Majumdar (another MoS). Dharmendra Pradhan will continue to lead the Ministry of Education.
Jayant Chaudhary (46) has been entrusted with skills, a sector very close to Prime Minister’s heart and therefore he is going to play an important role in furthering the agenda of MSDE. Assuming office, he expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for the trust placed in him and said that he would play his part in the Ministry, which is vital for the nation as it charts its course as a leader of the global economy.
Chaudhary said that India with its vast and youthful population needs to be empowered with skilling, reskilling, and upskilling opportunities to fulfil their aspirations. This aligns perfectly with the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi of a Viksit Bharat, a developed India, where every citizen has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to our nation’s prosperity, he added. He also emphasized that there is a constant need for new and industry-aligned skills in all walks of life, and the Ministry’s perpetual efforts will make a tangible impact on the skilling and employment landscape.
The Ministry is committed to implementing strategic initiatives that bridge the skills gap including flagship schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS); with a continued focus on enhancing employability and fostering entrepreneurship. By embracing digital technologies, enhancing infrastructure, and promoting inclusive education, MSDE aims to empower individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving job market. It focuses on swiftly enforcing high-impact initiatives that demonstrate our dedication to immediate and tangible progress.
An advocate for implementing programs and launches that integrate the deprived into the mainstream of development to ensure continued growth and development across sectors and the country at large, Chaudhary brings with him a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to the welfare of the people. He was a member of the Standing Committee on Commerce, the Consultative Committee on Finance, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), and the Committee on Government Assurances. He has served previously on the Standing Committees on Agriculture and Finance as well as the Committee on Ethics.
He also reported in the Ministry of Education as MoS and said that the government is committed to empower future generations. He also said that he was honored to have a role in the Ministry, which is driving the development and reforms of the key education sector.
Another MoS Education, Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, a Professor of Botany, also assumed charge of his office in Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi.
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Dr. Majumdar has also served as a Member of Parliament in the 17th Lok Sabha. He was State President, BJP Bengal, since September 2021 and represents the Balurghat (West Bengal) constituency. He was a member of the Standing Committee on Information Technology and Committee on Petitions since 2019.
