Khadi, rural industries ‘must aim for growth’

SHILLONG: The three-day district level Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) exhibition kicked off on Tuesday on the premises of State Central Library.
Speaking on the occasion, Director of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs CP Gotmare lauded the efforts of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) and other organisations involved in developing rural industries.
“The participants should not be happy only by starting the industry at the micro level. They should try to grow it into a bigger endeavour. It should not only cater to the local needs but also aim bigger,” he said.
Gotmare was told by the organisers that one of the participants has a turnover of over Rs 1 crore. “Every one of us should actually try to become a bigger industry, from small to medium and from medium to even a bigger industry. It is a very good thing that there are cooperative organisations which are also making spices, products such as soaps etc,” he said.
Pointing to the organic products in the state, Gotmare said, “We would have a great market for this. I would urge the KVIC to find out some units which can get organic certification so that it will add value to their products making them more marketable and remunerative for producers.”
According to Gotmare, Khadi can become new-age fashion mantra and organisations involved in developing and marketing Khadi “should be more proactive to ensure that village-based industries grow bigger”.
Altogether, 20 participants from different parts of the state displayed their products at the exhibition.