The Centre has initiated an ambitious project of identifying 653 districts to set up ITIs and engineering colleges which will become part of the skill development plan, Union Minister for Micro and Small Medium Enterprises Kalraj Mishra said here today.

Stating that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' initiative wasn't just a slogan but a commitment to the country, Mishra said good coordination between industry, academics, and a spirit of entrepreneurship was crucial for development and self-reliance.

The minister, who was speaking at a function to present 'Mechanist Super Shop Floor awards' for 2015 here, said, "all kinds of efficiency will be rewarded and manufacturers are invited to India to make it a manufacturing hub."



He also stressed the importance of innovation and said that research and development were key factors to develop industry in order to remove regional imbalance.