Sankhuwasabha. Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Deepak Khadka has said that employment generation and self-reliance are possible through skill-based training. He also said that local manpower should be skilled to develop Sankhuwasabha as a hydropower hub.

Inaugurating a 20-day training on power house operation and maintenance at Khandbari Municipality-1 here today, he said the local youth should benefit from the construction of projects like Arun III, Upper Arun, Lower Arun and Arun IV.

Minister Khadka said that the role of local youth who have acquired technical skills would be very important for the long-term benefits and success of the project.

“The need of the hour is to create employment by making the youth self-reliant and economically empowered through skill development in a district with potential for hydropower. Skill development is not only the basis of employment but also the door of economic empowerment and self-reliance,” he said.

Energy Minister Khadka said that there is a plan to establish a technical school in Khandbari, adding that training of various branches like health, construction, woodworking, pipe installation and electrical sector masons would be conducted.

Khandbari Municipality Mayor Mahesh Thapaliya pledged to continue such initiatives as the training would instill hope, possibility and sense of self-reliance among the youth.