Rural artisans need support global marketing era: Raghuvansh

New Delhi, Nov 15 (UNI) Minister for Rural Development Raghuvansh Prasad Singh today stressed for providing all necessary support and help to the rural craftsmen so as to withstand and compete in the era of global market-oriented economy.

Inaugurating a SARAS gallery here, Dr Singh called for providing all possible help for appropriate branding, packaging, financing and training amenities as an effective tool to eradicate poverty prevailing in the rural areas of the country.

The Commerce Ministry is being approached for having an exclusive export promotion council for the sale of rural goods outside the country, he said.

The Minister further disclosed that if needed, he will take the matter with Prime Minister's Office (PMO) also.

Dr Singh also hoped that this gallery will provide unlimited and free of hassle opportunities on permanent basis to rural craftsmen round the year.

The Gallery has been established with a view to assist the Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) rural artisans/beneficiaries and self help groups(SHGs) to exhibit and sell their products in the city.

The gallery, first of its kind, intends to create a unique platform for developing linkage with customers and providing a prospect of interaction with the buyers directly.

The gallery is spread across 398.89 square metre, where 24 stalls have been erected presently. The stalls will be allotted regularly to states on rotation basis, for organising thematic fairs for a period of 15-20 days for display and sale of rural products from across the country.

Minister of State for Rural Development Chandra Sekar Sahu, Secretary Drinking Water Supply in the Ministry of Rural Development, Shantha Sheila Nair, Director General CAPART V S Rao were also present on the occasion.

UNI