IT Minister Vaishnaw launches free AI training for over 5.5 lakh CSC franchise holders

The government will provide training on artificial intelligence (AI) to over 5.5 lakh village-level entrepreneurs who run Common Service Centres for free, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Wednesday.

Speaking at the 10th anniversary of CSC SPV, Vaishnaw said that training will be provided under the government's IndiaAI Mission, which has a provision to train 10 lakh people on AI.

"All of you will be given AI training for free. We have set a target under the IndiaAI Mission to skill around 10 lakh people. All 5.5 lakh VLEs will be given preference in that training," Vaishnaw said.

Minister of State for Electronics and IT Jitin Prasada brought to the notice of the Minister the demand of CSC VLEs for merging state-based government services centres with CSC, as it will provide them a higher income generation opportunity. He added that CSC VLEs want allotment of Aadhaar-related work at their centre.

Vaishnaw asked CSC SPV to prepare details on the merger of state-based service centres and assured VLEs that he would discuss the possibility of their merger with state governments.

During the event, the minister appreciated the work of VLEs and called on stage two women VLEs—Manjulata Chattar from Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district and Rose Angeline M Kharsyntiew from rural Meghalaya—to acknowledge the extraordinary effort made by them in their remote villages to provide government services.

Vaishnaw said that Chattar digitally trained herself to start common service centres, which have become a lifeline for over 2,000 villagers, especially women and marginalised communities, in the rural area of Mayurbhanj district.

He said Kharsyntiew is a trainer and an extraordinary entrepreneur who trains people as part of the CSC Academy and also launched her own sanitary pad manufacturing unit, Kyrpang Ia Phi Sanitary Pads, under the Stree Swabhiman initiative.

The Minister asked VLEs to connect with IRCTC and start selling train tickets as well. Recently, the government introduced an Aadhaar-based mechanism for booking train tickets, which has led to a vast availability of tickets even on busy routes.