In what can be considered as a major boost for khadi and other handicrafts, Jharkhand is all set to become the first State in the country to have a dedicated mall for indigenous produces. The mall would come up in the HEC area which is also giving way for the Ranchi Smart City.
Making the announcement, Chief Minister Raghubar Das expressed the hope that the artisans, especially coming from the tribal communities, would be benefited from this.
"large numbers of villagers have been connected with employment opportunities through khadi with the able support coming from the Jharkhand Khadi Board. The Board is providing them market as well as other requirements like training, raw materials and machineries. The Government looking at the role the Board has played would raise its budget so that more and more schemes can be run. Also the Government would provide land within 15 days at HEC for building the country's first khadi mall," said the CM, addressing 'Karigar Panchayat' organised by the Board on Sunday.
The CM reiterated the commitment of the Government to bring turnarounds in fate of the villagers of the State through massive self-employment activities. "We are working for the betterment of the people of the State in which handicraft is being promoted primarily. People of the State have skills of different types which can be utilised for generating more income. If market is provided along with latest technologies then people of the State can earn their livelihood easily," said he.
The CM on the occasion also talked about adding artisans with technology and market and to encourage them to do value addition. He also underlined the role of urban market along with rural haats and tourists spots which can be potential market for the locals.
Talking about beekeeping, the CM said that the State is on the verge of sweet revolution. "CM Entrepreneurship Board is working in that direction along with the Khadi Board. Two lakh money boxes would be provided to us by the Centre. We have talked to Baba Ramdev and Patanjali would purchase the honey produced here. We need not to worry about market. Contract for bamboo with AIKA is there. Five lakh bamboo baskets have been sought by European counties. We are providing required training to 600 women. We need to do better manufacturing and branding,"said Das adding about organic farming in the State.
later in the programme Governor Droupadi Murmu also addressed the artisans and underlined the role of handicrafts in income generation. She also handed over awards to some of the artists.
Also present on the occasion were Vikas Bharti secretary Ashok Bhagat, MoS Sudarshan Bhagat, MlA Navin Jaiswal, Khadi Board Chairman Sanjay Seth and Industry Department Secretary Vinay Kumar Chaubey.