In the context of the need for promoting self employment for the unemployed rural
youth, particularly those below the poverty line, and periodic skill up gradation
to keep them abreast of latest technologies, need not be overstated. Once trained
appropriately, the youth will launch profitable micro-enterprises and enhance their
own standards of living and thereby contribute to the overall national economy.
The joint of Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Educational Trust, Syndicate Bank
and Canara Bank in 1982 near Dharmasthala in Karnataka suggests that if rural BPL
youth are imparted necessary skills and provided hand holding support, a significant
proportion of them could set up viable self-employment activities.
Appreciating the rationale to up-scale such development support to rural BPL
youth country wide, the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) has proposed a new,
national scheme called RSETI. Under this, the MoRD will provide a one time grant
of Rs. One Crore to the lead bank in every district to set up one RSETI. The public
sector / private sector banks will be set up and run these institutions with the
active support from state government. The RSETIs will provide intensive short-term
residential training in trades that enjoy market-acceptance and extend them hand
holding support in availing bank credit.
Land for setting up the RSETIs will be allotted to the concerned Banks, free of
cost, by the State Governments. The construction of the building for the RSETIs
will be undertaken by the concerned Bank, Trust/Society. In case the banks so desire
they may request the State Government for assistance for construction.
A national level steering committee headed by the Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development
and a state level sub-committee under SLBC will ensure the grounding of the institutes
in all the rural districts of the country.
A ‘Local Advisory Committee’ (LAC) at the Institute level under
the leadership the Chairman and Lead district Manager, District Development manager,
and the members of NABARD, GM, District Industries Centre, PD, DRDA, the Employment
Exchange Officer, heads of vocational institutes in the district like ETCs, ITIs,
Polytechnics, KVKs etc. will guide the RSETI in realizing its objectives.