In a major push to enhance skill development and employment opportunities for youth, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has directed the establishment of a Centre for Invention, Innovation, Incubation, and Training (C3IT) in every district of the state.
Currently, ten such centres have already been approved. Pawar has instructed officials to take immediate action to set up similar centres in the remaining 26 districts. He emphasised that land for these centres should be provided by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), and 15% of the required funding should be allocated through the respective District Planning Committees (DPCs).
A review meeting on the C3IT project was held at the Deputy Chief Minister’s office in Mantralaya. It was chaired by Ajit Pawar and attended by Industry Minister Uday Samant, MP Sunil Tatkare, Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner Dr. Rajagopal Deora (Planning), Additional Chief Secretary O.P. Gupta (Finance), Additional Chief Secretary Manisha Verma (Skill Development), Secretary of Industries Dr. Anbalagan P., MIDC CEO P. Velrasu, and other senior officials from the Skill Development Society, Vocational Education Department, and MIDC.
Pawar stressed the importance of equipping youth with world-class training in emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Automation, Robotics, and Machine Learning. He noted that the C3IT centres will not only create a skilled workforce but also foster an industry-friendly ecosystem across the state, boost entrepreneurship, and open avenues for self-employment.
Each C3IT centre will be strategically located near cities for ease of access and convenience for trainees. The Deputy CM also accepted MP Sunil Tatkare’s request to fund the C3IT centre in Raigad district through MIDC.
Key Highlights from the Meeting:
Every district in Maharashtra to get one C3IT centre
MIDC to provide land for the centres
15% of the funding to come from District Planning Committees
Locations to be selected for proximity and accessibility to trainees
Coordination with the Tata Group for expansion of the initiative
These centres are expected to train thousands of youth annually in future-centric skills, supporting both economic development and the state’s commitment to employment generation.
