To boost Khadi and Village Industries, the government has approved 71 new clusters with an outlay of Rs 150 crore to benefit 44.500 artisans in the country.
The Minister of State Griraj Singh said, 10 of them will be major cluster, while 59 minor and two heritages. The clusters include coir as well.
Besides, the government has already approved an additional 56 clusters to be set up with an investment of Rs 22 crore that would benefit around 40000 artisans.
These clusters are part of 800 Khadi and Coir clusters to be set up at an investment of Rs 850 crore providing employment to around 4 lakh artisans during the 12th Plan.
Singh said, the government has also strengthened the Scheme of Funds for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI) to enable Khadi and Village Industries take on the challenges of highly competitive open market. The revamped SFURTI scheme merges the existing schemes.
The revamped scheme will attempt to enhance productivity and competitiveness of Khadi Industry and Artisans through product development, design Intervention and packaging.
It will also establish rural industries service center and provide other small interventions like ready warp units, ready to wear mission.
The products covered under the Khadi & Village Industries include Agarbatti, Agricultural equipment, Bakery, Cane and Bamboo products, Coffee Processing, Detergent powder, Food processing, Handicraft, Leather products, Medicinal Herbs, Woolen items, Tribal jewellery, Spices, Shampoo, Pottery , Pickles, and Organic Jam and quash.
The Coir products include Coir Geo Textiles, Dyeing, and Rubber backing coir mat, Will owing, and Spinning.
Image Courtesy : The Dollar Business
