Lucknow, Oct 23 (IANS): The Uttar Pradesh government has imparted training to more than 39,000 masons to augment their skills and get them involved in construction of PM Awas Yojana-Rural.

Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Maurya said the training will not only open new doors of employment and increase the income of masons but will also improve the quality of houses being built under PMAY-R and CM Awas Yojana-Rural.

“The trained mason also gets the opportunity to work in big places and construction agencies after certification, which will utilize their working capacity. They will also get higher wages,” said Maurya, who holds the portfolio of rural development department.

Maurya said that till now a total of 54,105 beneficiaries have been enrolled under Rural Mason Training, out of which 39,236 beneficiaries have been trained.

He said that 7,058 women masons are being trained under the programme.

“Out of this, 2,542 women masons have been certified. He added that the rural development department is taking action to identify such people from rural areas who are willing to take training as masons.

In rural areas, the masons who are already working are given 15 days training while those who do not do mason work or do not know it -- but are willing to take training -- are given 45 days training to become skilled masons.

This training is being given as per the Rural Mason Qualification Pack (QP) of National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).

The Deen Dayal Upadhyay State Rural Development Institute, BakshiKa Talab, Lucknow has been designated the nodal agency for training by the rural development department in the state.

The training work is being conducted by the nodal agency recognized by the Construction Skill Development Council of India (CSDCI).