With a view to popularise Khadi all over the State, 300 societies would be established and at the same time, sales centres would be opened in five major towns such as Sambalpur, Rourkela, Puri, Brahmapur and Angul, informed Odisha Khadi and Gramodyoga Board chairman and former Minister Nagendra Pradhan during the valedictory function of a State level exhibition here.
“Persons engaged in Khadi and Gramodyoga works wouldn’t have to depend on raw materials on other States. They will be provided materials from the board’s own office,” Pradhan informed.
A 23 storied building in the premises of the Khadi board office will be erected to house all the branches of Khadi activities including marketing, sales, display of handlooms and handicrafts products etc.
This effort will set an example in the country, he said further.
Steel and Mines Minister Rajanikant Singh, who was the chief guest of the closing ceremony, said that Sambalpur was the first place outside the State capital where the State level exhibition was organized. “The business here is also encouraging. Plans are afoot to organize such exhibitions in all the district headquarters to promote village artisans and their products,” Singh revealed.
He emphasized on the need for a survey to study consumers’ preferences and design products accordingly.
The Minister also gave away prizes to the entrepreneurs for their remarkable achievement in the field. Among others, Deogarh MlA Sanjiv Pradhan and Khadi Board deputy secretary Sarat Kumar Sahu spoke.