21,000 Artisans Benefit Through Saras Fairs

New Delhi, Nov 14 (UNI) About 21,000 artisans have benefitted through Saras fairs with a Rs 55.91 crore sales turnover since 2003-04, Rural Development Minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh said this evening.

Opening a Saras exhibit at the Indian International Trade Fair, Dr Singh announced plans to organise 13 regional Saras fairs this year, besides ten already held.

An exhibition to give exposure to products crafted by rural artisans, Saras 2006 symbolises government commitment to helping 'Swarozgaris' develop themselves and market their products, Dr Singh said.

The Minister said particpation in fairs gives artisans a chance to grasp what buyers want and ''make necessary changes in quality, design, packaging and other aspects of their products.'' Minister of State for Rural Development Chandra Sekhar Sahu stressed developing village economy and said rural products displayed were competitive with ''products of multi-national companies.'' UNI MJ SK VV2317