Ahmedabad gets 2nd RTO office; Surat and Vadodara to get next

Ahmedabad, Monday: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated a new Industrial Training Institute (ITI) and a modern RTO office in Maninagar locality to serve the eastern parts of Ahmedabad. The new ITI and RTO buildings have cost about Rs.25-crore.

The new RTO office is in addition to one RTO office already located near Subhash Bridge in western Ahmedabad. He said that Surat and Vadodara would soon get second RTO offices in their municipal corporation areas.

Even as the number of registered motor vehicles in Gujarat reached 1.35-crore, he said that Gujarat is on the forefront of the nation in upgrading technology in RTOs, in consonance with overall development of the state, taking every section of the society along.

Emphasizing the need for upgrading the skills of youth in various trades and industries, Mr. Modi said the state has created a network of ITIs, at least one in each taluka. He informed that 200 ITI-trained youth recently got job abroad, establishing the utility of ITIs in the global perspective.

He also announced on the occasion that those who complete ITI diploma and after Standard-X will be considered on par with Standard-XII. Similarly, those who complete two years vocational course after Standard-X will also be considered on par with Standard-XII. At present, those who complete two-year ITI course after Standard-VIII are considered on par with Standard-X.

The function was simultaneously broadcast and watched by about 70,000 trainees in various ITIs across the state.

Finance Minister Vajubhai Vala, who also holds the portfolio of Labour & Employment, said that a special drive has been launched a decade back to train women too, in various trades.

Prominent among those present on the occasion were Roads & Buildings Minister Anandiben Patel, Ministers of State Liladhar Vaghela and Ranji Ghiletwala, Ahmedabad Mayor Asit Vora, legislators, principal secretaries of departments concerned and representatives of various fields.Transport Commissioner J.P. Gupta delivered the welcome speech.