Mohanpur (West Tripura), June 18 (TIWN): For the first time in India, a training scheme for skill development of the rubber nursery workers has been launched in Tripura, the second rubber capital in India after Kerala.

Dr Thomas J, Rubber Production Commissioner (RPC), Rubber Board, launched the scheme during a programe at Mohanpur block in West Tripura in presence of hundreds of rubber workersWednesday.

“This scheme aims a providing scientific knowledge to the traditional rubber growers as well as those who are interested in joining this sector. Through one month’s training the programme will encourage people to acquire skills so that they can - right from preparation of nurseries, choosing the best saplings, grow the best trees with high yield and thus increase their production and make maximum the income,” said Dr Thomas adding: “We have chosen Tripura which is the second highest rubber producing state in India to launch this training and so that the farmers of this state gets the maximum benefit out of rubber.”

He added that the scheme is being implemented by National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) through its training partners and respective sector skill councils.The scheme is under STAR - Standard Training Assessment & Rewards and was launched by the government of India in August, 2013 to encourage people to acquire skills for different job roles.

Under the scheme a trainee who is above 18 years of age, undergoes training for a month in a specific job role & then assessed and finally the pass out trainees are rewarded with a certificate from government of India and NSDC along with a monetary reward as well.

IL&FS Skills Development Corporation (IL&FS Skills / ISDC) is one of the training partners of NSDC and is implementing STAR Scheme in various sectors for different job roles across the country.

Other dignitaries who were present in the launch function and shared their views and visions regarding the training program in rubber sector are Bishnu Debbarma, Deputy RPC, Tripura, Dr. Krishna Kumar, Executive Director, IL&FS, Dr S. K Dey, Dy. Director, Regional Research Station, Agartala, Dr Arun Verma, Group Head, Health Initiatives, IL&FS, Shyamal Sen, General Manager, Manimalaya Rubbers, Siddhartha Choudhury, Regional Head, IL&FS, Tripura and Haradhan Bhoumik, technical advisor, Rubber Board.