WAZIRABAD
The government abrupt decision to shut the sole Cutlery Institute of the country, established at a cost of more than Rs1,000 million by TDAP in 2001, has raised an eyebrow besides put question mark on the future of its staff, The Nation learnt.
According to details, the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan started construction of the CIP in 1998 over a piece of land of 41 kanal and was made functional in 2001. The TDAP spent Rs400million on installation of modern equipment and other heavy Machinery. The establishment of CIP aimed at provide trained and skilled labour to cutlery Sector for which many a relevant courses were started including Brand Designing and other computer Courses. After seven years, the CIP was handed over to Small Medium Enterprise Development Authority (SMEDA).
Later, the SMEDA further invested a huge amount of Rs400 million and installed more new machinery of unique type Laser Technology and heavy Power Cutter was the specialty of the institute. To be honest, the facility of some machinery in the CIP is not even available in whole Engineering Triangle of Gujranwala Division. As many as 1,000 trained man power performing in different Industrial Units of many districts including Gujranwala, Sialkot, Wazirabad, Gujrat and Faisalabad.
Almost 1500 male and female students got training of Computer Designing, Hardware, software etc. Dozens of instructors and Administrative staff were engaged with students at the institute.
But the abrupt government decision regarding closure of the CIP left both the industrialists and people in a shock. The apparent hasty decision also caused concern among the staff of the institute who have been spared without paying their salaries of the past six months which amounting to Rs1.8 million. The sacked 28 Employees has fallen into trouble due to their unemployment near Eid without alternate arrangements of their jobs. The decision reflects government intention to privatise the institute and All Pakistan Cutlery Association (APCA) seems willing to take charge of the Institute for continuation the process preparing skilled labour for the industry.
On the other hand, TEVTA is also interested in CIP with the back of a political heavyweight from Gujranwala. TEVTA want to continue its routine courses of commerce and vocational instead of technical courses. However, the government wants to decide CIPs matters according to its existing volume. Heavy and modern machinery and vast area of CIP, valued up to Rs1000 million, has caused much attraction in the institution.