Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Harivansh on Monday said that village and cottage industries can play an important role in addressing employment issue in the country when there is shortage of jobs in market. Harivansh, while inaugurating the three-day workshop of skill development of Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) in State capital, said that PMEGP schemes can be helpful generating jobs both at rural and urban areas.
Harivansh said, “Country biggest problem is unemployment. Even developed countries such as USA and China which are having more demographic area than India are facing the problem of unemployment. Institutions such as Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) can play a big role in addressing unemployment issue.” Harivansh, an eminent journalist and JDU Rajya Sabha member said, “Employment schemes launched by institutions such as KVIC also gains importance as the beneficiaries of these schemes can be people living at bottom of the society.”
The Rajya Sabha deputy chairman statement assumes importance as KVIC has come forward in promoting entrepreneurship in State. The KVIC has set a target to provide financial assistance to 2477 units in State and to disburse Rs 61.92 crore as subsidy money among the people coming up to set up industries.
The commission with an attempt to promote entrepreneurship among people especially among women, SC/ST has decided to offer 35 per cent subsidy in setting up village and cottage industries in rural areas. Similarly, in urban area the subsidy amount will be upto 15 per cent.
Small scale and village industries such as handlooms, units for manufacturing and production of edible items such as pickles, papad, jams, units for manufacturing incense sticks, candles, units for manufacturing clay items such as small statues, earthen lamps, beekeeping, fisheries and others units comes village and cottage industries.
Also speaking on the occasion, Jainandu, ex chairman Khadi and village industries board (Jharkhand) said, “The Khadi goods have become day to day household items at several houses.
The three day workshop we will provide training to several people so that they can become self reliant.” Jainandu said, “In this connection around dozen potters (Kumhar) from nearby villages will be provided training in how to use electronic charkha and once they are fully trained a certificate and e-charkha will be distributed to them.”
Jainandu who runs Khadi units at Muri and Chaibasa has provided training to several people in handloom, readymade garments and production and manufacture of different Khadi items.