Lucknow, May 19 -- The Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission has taken a key step towards connecting deprived and specially-abled sections with the mainstream. Under an initiative of the Yogi government, 5% seats in every batch of short-term skill training programmes across the state have been made mandatorily reserved for Divyangjan, according to a release. Kapil Dev Agarwal, MoS (independent charge) for vocational education, skill development and entrepreneurship, said under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, acid attack survivors have been included in the Divyangjan category and will be given special priority in skill training programmes. He said if any acid attack survivor woman is willing and eligible for training, her registration must be ensured on priority. "Skill development is not merely a means of employment, but also a powerful medium to restore confidence and dignity," he said. The minister further said that the mission aims to provide such women equal opportunities and a new identity in society through training and employment. On the initiative of Mission Director Pulkit Khare, district programme management units (DPMUs) across the state have been directed to ensure selection of eligible beneficiaries against reserved seats in training batches to be constituted during the financial year 2026-27. Instructions have also been issued to coordinate with District Probation Officers of the Women Welfare Department and Child Development and Nutrition Department for effective implementation of the scheme. The minister appealed to all concerned departments and officials to ensure effective compliance so that the maximum number of needy women can benefit from scheme. htc...