In a programme organized at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Hindaun City, in Karauli district of Rajasthan, Chairman, Khadi and Village Industries Commission(KVIC) Shri Manoj Kumar in the presence Dr. Manoj Rajoria  Member of Parliament Karauli-Dholpur LokSabha  of Rajasthan  distributed 300 bee boxes including bee colony to beekeepers today. He also released margin money subsidy of Rs. 100.63 crores to 3083 beneficiaries under PMEGP scheme with sanctioned loan of Rs. 296.19 Crores for PMEGP projects, this will create new employment opportunities for around 25,000 people.

Speaking on the occasion, KVIC Chairman Shri Manoj Kumar said that 'Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme' (PMEGP) is the major Flagship Scheme of Government implemented by Khadi and Village Industries Commission. He said that under  PMEGP scheme, more than 8 lakh projects have been approved so far, under which more than 68 lakh people have been provided employment opportunities across the country by disbursement of 'margin money subsidy' of more than Rs 21000 crore. He reiterated the motto of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi which is  to "Become a job provider rather than a job seeker". He said KVIC has been implementing various employment-oriented schemes in every nook and corner of the country so that youths seeking employment are able to set up their units.

Shri  Kumar said that after the clarion call given by Prime Minister for "Sweet-Revolution" in the country, KVIC took up this endeavour as Honey Mission with the aim of creating new employment opportunities and increase the income of beekeepers and  yield of farmers crops. He said under this Scheme 17,570 beekeepers have been trained and 1.75 lakh "bee boxes" have been distributed along with bee colonies.

The Chairman said  under the Kumhar Sashaktikarn Yojana for 'Potter Empowerment Scheme', KVC distributed  electric potterwheels to 24,410 potters. Also  machines for manufacturing incense sticks to 1560 incense artisans were distributed for their skill development and increase in product quality and income. Talking about the upgradation and development of the Khadi sector since 2014, he said that the resolution of the Prime Minister has revived this sector. Due to his constant efforts and tireless hard work, Khadi-Village Industry is touching new heights. As a result,  the sale figure of Khadi Village Industry crossed 1,15,000 crores in the last financial year, which happened for the first time since independence, he added.

Shri Kumar said  that KVIC has taken a decision to fulfill the dedicated vision of  Prime Minister to improve the economic condition of Khadi Artisans by paying more wages to  Artisans working in Khadi sector. It has recently been decided to increase almost 35% wages in one go, which is a historic step in itself. He said after Modi government came in power in 2014, the wages of artisans have been increased by KVIC by almost 150%.

Some of the achievements by Khadi & Village Industries Commission in its programs in the last few years are as follows:

• The production of Khadi-Village Industries was about Rs 84,290 crore and the sale was about Rs 1,15,415 crore through which lakhs of people got employment.

• One day sale of KVIC flagship outlet at Connaught Place, New Delhi on 2nd October 2022, Gandhi Jayanti, crossed Rs.  1.34 crore, which is a record.

• Similarly, Khadi Pavilion IITF, 2022 saw a record sale of Rs 12.6 crore.

• During the MaghMela organized by KVIC at Prayagraj, a new record of sales of Rs 5.83 crores was registered this year with a jump of 53%.

• The “Khadi Fest” organized in Mumbai in the same financial year has also created a new record of sales of 3 crore.

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MJPS