Bahuguna calls for boost to khadi, village products

Stresses on efforts to promote the material at industries exhibition in Dehradun

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna has called for ensuring proper marketing of khadi and village industries in the state.

"It is necessary to ensure proper marketing of khadi and village industries," said Bahuguna, while speaking at a khadi and village industries exhibition at the Parade Ground here on Wednesday evening.

Stating that it was necessary to give a modern form to khadi, the CM said emphasis should also be given on new designs and techniques.

Efforts should be undertaken to promote the material, he said.

The chief minister said that the state had suffered huge losses due to the natural disaster that had hit in June. Khadi and village-based industries could play a vital role in providing employment to the youth of the disaster-affected areas, he said.

The chief minister said that wool producers on the border areas must get the right price for their products.

The CM asked the administration to provide a list of products, so that these could be given preference in government purchases. He welcomed exhibitors from outside the state and expressed hope that the presenters would learn better about each others' products.

Khadi and Village Industries Minister Harish Chandra Durgapal said that the exhibition, being held from November 18 to December 12, had exhibitors from Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh.

Up to 40 per cent discount was being offered to promote khadi products. Producers were being given subsidies and loans, he said.