KVIC sets target to double production and employment in XIth Plan

New Delhi, Nov 20 (UNI) On the occasion of its Golden Jubilee celebrations, the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has set the physical targets of achieving double the production of Rs 27,634 crore and employment to a total of 144.61 lakh people during the Eleventh Plan period.

The total production from khaadi and village industries was achieved at Rs 14,028 crore and employment to 88.92 lakh persons during the Tenth Plan period.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Mahabir Prasad today said that the Government has accorded priority to addressing infrastructure and basic needs of rural people through creation of sustainable employment opportunities, exploitation of local resources, increasing production and offering opportunities to all for employment in the service of the community.

He said KVIC plays an integrative role in the development of a holistic approach - to the areas of human and economic development in the rural sector.

Mr Prasad called upon the weavers to use Charkhas which is the ''Divyashastra'' of the poor weavers to produce more khadi to fight against unemployment and enhance their standard of living.

He assured all possible assistance from his Ministry for strengthening the khadi movement and encourage people to wear khadi and also promote village industries and help them compete in the global market.

The Minister said the bankers have been backbone of the 'Rural Employment Generation Programme' (REGP) and awarded the Best Bankers for their oustanding contribution in generating employment in the rural sector.

KVIC during the last five decades has been operating at the grass root level in remote rural areas including hill and border provinces providing employment opportunities to the poorest of poor and creating a feeling of self-reliance among the rural masses, he added.

On the occasion, Best Scientific Innovators were also rewarded for their outstanding contribution in developing low cost rural technology for the benefit of the rural masses.

A total of 34 awards were distributed in different categories to Best Spinner, Best Weavers, Best Banker, Best REGP units and Science and Technology Innovator.

KVIC Chairperson Ms Kumud Joshi, Minister of State for Labour and Employment Oscar Fernandes, Mr Santosh Bagrodia, Member of Parliament and Chairman DRPSCI and KVIC CEO J S Mishra also spoke on the occasion of the conclusion of the two-day celebrations.

The KVI progammes are implemented all over the country in association with State Khadi and Village Industries Boards in all the States. With around 5000 registered societies and over 2.62 lakhs entrepreneurial units, KVIC has marketing network of over 7,000 sales outlets spread all over the country.

UNI