CSC e-Governance and Vision Karnataka Foundation ink MoU to train 5 lakh youths

VKF aims to reach out to approximately 500,000 youths in Karnataka, providing 100% rural penetration of gram panchayats with solutions and self-employment opportunities.

In a move to revolutionise rural empowerment and digital inclusion across Karnataka, CSC e-Governance Services India Limited (CSC SPV) and Vision Karnataka Foundation (VKF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on April 4. According to a spokesperson, the strategic partnership aims to utilize over 50,000 digital service centers to achieve broad rural coverage across all 6,000-gram panchayats in the state. The focus will be on providing services such as insurance, bank loans, micro-entrepreneurship support, and various digital solutions including Aadhaar, PAN card, and passport services.

CSC e-Governance Services India Limited, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) established by the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), oversees the implementation of the Common Services Centers Scheme (CSCs).

"CSCs constitute the backbone of the Digital India program, serving as crucial access points for delivering various digital services to India's rural communities, fostering a digitally and financially inclusive society," CSC and VKF said in a joint statement.

"Through this collaboration, VKF aims to reach out to approximately 500,000 youths in Karnataka, providing 100% rural penetration of gram panchayats with solutions and self-employment opportunities. The initiative will leverage the Grameen e-stores platform, supporting renowned brands like Croma, and offer access to over 900 bankable detailed project proposals to aid rural youths in securing financing for setting up micro-businesses. This endeavor is poised to bolster mass entrepreneurship promotion and drive technological-driven social innovations, particularly across the agribusiness corridor developed by VKF.

"The synergy between VKF and CSC SPV represents a monumental step towards engineering social change and promoting rural entrepreneurship across Karnataka. By combining our strengths, we aim to create a vibrant ecosystem of opportunities for rural youths, ensuring their active participation in India's growth story," said Kishor Jagirdar, President of Vision Karnataka Foundation.