UNION MINISTER for Small Scale Industries, Agriculture and Village Industry, Mahavir Prasad, said that the khadi industry had the capability to eradicate poverty and generate employment in country.
The minister was inaugurating an exhibition of products of khadi and village industries at the divisional office of Khadi Gram Udyog Commission, in Varanasi, on Monday.
“The condition of Khadi industries suffered a great setback during the period of 1997-98 to 2003-04 and employment reduced from 14 lakh to 8 lakh during this period,” he said and added that the khadi industry was gaining momentum after the formation of UPA-led government at the Centre.
He said that a bill regarding promotion of khadi was with the standing committee of Parliament and this bill would be passed during the Budget session of Parliament.
The minister said his ministry had appointed a marketing specialist to study the market trend for promotion of khadi products.
He further added that marketing specialist would give suggestions regarding improvement in products to compete with the MNCs.
He said that finance ministry gave permission to his ministry for the formation of 100 clusters to promote khadi, agriculture and village industries in the country.
He elaborated upon several schemes of Rural Employment Generation Programme and said that his ministry was giving a 30 per cent subsidy to the handicapped, Dalits and the downtrodden whereas in general, people could get a subsidy of 25 per cent.
{{/usCountry}}He elaborated upon several schemes of Rural Employment Generation Programme and said that his ministry was giving a 30 per cent subsidy to the handicapped, Dalits and the downtrodden whereas in general, people could get a subsidy of 25 per cent.
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