Khadi production increase in North East

Aizawl, Dec 14: There has been a considerable increase in production and employment generation in the Khadi&Village Industries (KVI) sector in the North Eastern region during the first four years of the Tenth Plan.

The Union Ministry of Agro and Rural Industries (ARI) had earmarked separate budget allocation for KVI from 2003 to 2006.

Official sources here said today the Union Ministry has released over Rs 30 crore till November 2006, while for the period 2006-07 a budget provision of Rs 60 crore has been earmarked.

Besides, a total of about 1,599 entreprenuers were given training till September 2006 across the region.

The ARI is implementing a number of developmental schemes in the NE region through the KVIC and the Coir Board. The various schemes under implementation include the PMRY and the REGP.

The village industries being set up in the hilly and backward areas are pottery, bee keeping, processing of cereals&pulses, fibre, fruit and vegetable processing industries, soap, activities like carpentry and blacksmithy and also Khadi and polyvastra.

The KVIC programme for rural industrialisation is expected to further increase the earnings of artisans, weavers, spinners and individual entrepreneurs and also output of high quality KVI goods from this region, the official sources added.

UNI