"Khadi is Quickly Becoming a New, Lucrative Start-Ups Avenue," says Dr Jitendra Singh

Dr. Jitendra Singh gave Prime Minister Narendra Modi all the credit for spreading the Khadi mantra of "Khadi for Nation, Khadi for Fashion, and Khadi for Transformation" throughout the world. He added that Khadi clothing and accessories now hold the status of designer goods and high-end apparel. The Minister was speaking at a North Zone level programme held by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC).

Beneficiaries and entrepreneurs from the North Indian States and UTs of J&K, Ladakh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan received online distributions of subsidy margins totaling more than Rs.100 Crore. Chairman of KVIC Manoj Kumar oversaw the program's planning. He mentioned the recent decision to raise wages from Rs.7.50 per hank to Rs.10 per hank, which will result in an increase in the monthly income of artisans of about 33% and a 10% increase in the wages of weavers.

Dr. Jitendra Singh expressed disappointment that the StartUp movement had not yet taken off in this area despite having done so elsewhere in the nation. According to him, more and more people are realising the value of Khadi for business and industry. He recalled that the Prime Minister had frequently urged people to purchase khadi through his radio programme "Mann Ki Baat," and as a result, there has been a record-breaking increase in both the sale of khadi products and the export of khadi.

Dr. Jitendra Singh encouraged the recipients for operating their units successfully and claimed that this would inspire other youth to stop the desperate search for a government job and instead choose more lucrative livelihood options in order to create a prosperous, strong, and independent nation.

Notably, the Prime Minister's Employment Generation Program (PMEGP) is essential in helping the unemployed youth in urban and rural areas find employment. Any entrepreneur may set up a unit under this programme with a maximum investment of Rs. 50 lakh in the manufacturing sector and Rs. 20 lakh in the service sector. The Government of India grants beneficiaries 15% to 25% of the total project cost in urban areas and 25% to 35% in rural areas for the establishment of these units. After loan approval, the recipients also receive free training in entrepreneurship to help them become more successful.

Distribution of a Rs 100.55 crore money subsidy to 3,490 Northern Region beneficiaries (including those in Jammu & Kashmir (UT), Ladakh (UT), Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Delhi) in exchange for a Rs 165.83 crore loan that was approved, of which a Rs 47.47 crore margin money grant was given to 2369 Jammu & Kashmir beneficiaries.

In his remarks, KVIC Chairman Manoj Kumar noted that the Prime Minister's Employment Generation Program is essential to the realization of the dream of an independent India. According to him, the Khadi and Village Industries Commission creates employment opportunities for artisans at their doorstep in outlying areas at a very low cost through its various programmes.

PMEGP recipients built a live demonstration of agarbatti production, the potter's wheel, and handicrafts and stalls. They are getting all the assistance they require from KVIC to increase their capacity, productivity, and access to new markets.