SHILLONG: The Khadi & Village Industries Commission (KVIC) will team up with the State Government to launch the “Honey Mission” to promote honey and bee-keeping in Meghalaya.
Speaking to media persons here on Wednesday during his visit to Shillong, KVIC Chairman Vijay Kumar Saxena lamented that despite its huge potential in honey and beekeeping, Meghalaya has not taken the lead.
Saxena added that Meghalaya should now take the lead in bee-keeping since with little investment people can earn good revenue in this sector. “We want to provide employment to the people of Meghalaya through Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP),” he said. Saxena said that the Commission is well aware of the huge potential which Meghalaya has as far as bee-keeping is concerned and therefore, it would set up 5000 apiaries in the State with 30-35 per cent subsidy.
The matter has been discussed with the Additional Chief Secretary, Saxena informed.
Khadi units to be set up
The KVIC Chairman also rued that there is no Khadi industry in Meghalaya and therefore, the Commission would now set up 7-8 khadi units within this year for production of woolen and other fabrics. He said that each unit can provide employment to 35 people and the units, which would be set up at a cost of Rs 8-9 lakh each, will produce khadi worth Rs 17-18 lakh per year.
“We will identify the people and places and necessary equipment will be provided to them,” he said and added that the Commission would leave no stone unturned to make Meghalaya a “khadi state”.
He pointed out that the khadi sector has the capability to generate “employment at the doorstep” and added that the North East should have more khadi-related activities.
He also said that after the entire process was converted online last year a large number of people have applied for khadi certification.
Meanwhile, Saxena also said that KVIC has generated employment for 7720 people in Meghalaya under PMEGP with a total sanction of 965 units.