In a significant decision, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the proposals of the Ministry of Tourism seeking to enlarge the scope of its scheme that provides for creation of institutional infrastructure necessary for hospitality and tourism specific education. This revision of the scheme had become necessary to meet the growing demand of the industry of trained manpower. As per the assessment of the Ministry, the industry requires about 2.03 lakhs trained persons annually. The supply as against this is just fractional, of about 12000 persons from all the institutes in the country. The introduction of the hospitality education through ITIs, Polytechnic Institutes, Govt. colleges, Universities, PSUs. and vocational schools, as provided for in the scheme now will be an important step ahead to bridge the gap in demand and supply of manpower.
This approval would entail a plan out lay of Rupees 495 crores which is over three time the actual expenditure of Rupees 147.2 crores during the 10th plan. The approved scheme hitherto covers strengthening of the existing Institutes of Hotel Management and Food Craft Institutes and setting up of the new ones. The Central Financial Assistance for setting up of an IHM has been increased to 12 crores from 10 crores earlier. The additional amount of 2 crores shall be for construction of boys/girls hostel as students are selected on all India basis through a Joint Entrance Examination. Under the enlarged dispensation, it will also allow funding of the ITIs, Polytechnic Institutes, Govt. collages, Universities and PSUs, to the extent of Rs.2 crores in each case, for starting hospitality courses. The funds will be utilised for creation of infrastructure and purchase of equipment. The revised scheme will also provide funds, to the extent of Rs.25 lakhs, to each vocational school for starting similar course(s).
The Scheme, as approved now, provides for the setting up of 19 new State IHMs and 25 State Food Craft Institutes during the 11th Plan. The total supply of 12000 trained manpower consists of 78% at managerial level and 22% at skill level, whereas requirement is in the ratio of 34 and 66% respectively. To overcome the acute shortage of trained personnel at skill level, it has been stipulated that, the State IHMs would also conduct craft courses besides the Degree Course of 3 years.
The revised scheme emphasises the strengthening and upgradation of the existing Central/State IHMs, 28 in number. The idea is to turn them into the institutes of excellence to spur and stimulate similar efforts in the private sector. Through this step the Ministry of Tourism would provide quality trained manpower for the hospitality industry.
