PM launches SC/ST hub, women get 'charkhas' at Ludhiana event

Launching the National SC/ST Hub and the ZED (Zero-Defect, Zero-Effect) Scheme for the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector here on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the manufacturers to make the most of the new schemes.

The SC/ST (Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes) Hub will facilitate things for people from these categories to start their own micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) units.

"A spirit of entrepreneurship among Dalits will benefit us. There are youngsters whose dream is to create enterprises and jobs," the Prime Minister, who was visiting this industrial city on Tuesday, said and also tweeted later.

Urging the manufacturing sector to target the global markets and ensure that there is no compromise on quality and eco-friendliness of their products, Modi urged them to adopt the ZED Scheme.

"The world market is waiting for us. No need to think that our enterprise is small. Can our MSME sector only keep looking at the market in India? No. Let us look at global market and match their quality control standards," he said.

Strongly pitching for Khadi products, Modi said: "Things are different today. See how well Khadi is marketed now. Earlier, it was only 'Khadi for nation', but now it is also 'Khadi for fashion'."

The Prime Minister gave away 'charkhas' (spinning wheels) to women to help them make self-reliant. In all, 500 women were presented charkhas.

"Today, charkhas were given to women. Khadi is a priority for us. A charkha at home brings more income," Modi said.

--IANS

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