Ministry of Steel answer lacks figures on Punjab trainees, centres, or financial aid

Asked and answered by: Asked by Shri Malvinder Singh Kang; Answered by the Ministry of Steel (Minister Shri H.D. Kumaraswamy).

What the government said

• Skill development initiatives are undertaken through the National Institute of Secondary Steel Technology (NISST) in Mandi Gobindgarh, Punjab.
• NISST was established in 1987 and is funded by the Ministry of Steel.
• Since Financial Year 2024-25, NISST has trained around 300 trainees in areas including Industrial Safety, Quality Improvement, Energy Efficiency, Scrap Segregation, and Non-Destructive Testing (NDT).
• Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) under the Ministry also conduct skill development through apprenticeships and partnerships with Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).

Also in the document

• The answer does not provide specific figures for the number of beneficiaries trained or employed during the last two years, only stating 'around 300 trainees' since FY 2024-25.
• The answer does not explicitly state whether new industry-specific skill centres are proposed in Punjab, only noting the existing establishment of NISST in 1987.
• The answer does not provide specific details on financial assistance sanctioned, only stating that funding for trainings and operations is given by the Ministry of Steel.