PDS should obtain direct orders: Aiyar

Alappuzha, Kerala, July 20 (UNI) Union Minister for Panchayati Raj Mani Shankar Aiyar today said the Panchayat Development Societies should directly procure business orders from exporters and thus avoid middlemen.

In an interactive session regarding the problems faced by Panchayat Development Societies, held at Kanjikuzhi Panchayat here, Mr Aiyar said, ''Maximum price could be obtained for your products if business orders are secured directly''. Instead of depending on government subsidies alone, you should adopt modern marketing strategies and attain self sufficiency, he added.

State Finance Minister Thomas Issac, who was also present during the occasion said that if products got the statutory price, direct dealing with exporters would be beneficial.

The Minister held discussions with representatives of Panchayat Coir Development Societies and people's representatives.

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