Govt to set up 800 SFURTI clusters to boost khadi industry

Government today said it will set up 800 SFURTI clusters with an investment of Rs 850 crore by March 2017 to boost khadi and village industries.
"Modernisation of Khadi and village industries is the key to increase more number of job opportunities at the rural and grass root level without affecting the environment," MSME Minister Kalraj Mishra said at a workshop organised by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) here.
Mishra said that during the 12th Five year plan (2012-17), 800 SFURTI clusters will be set up which will a great boost to the khadi and village industries.
The Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) had launched the Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI) in the year 2005 with a view to promote cluster development.

During the past five decades, KVIC has been promoting millions of traditional rural artisans and entrepreneurs of the country and is providing employment opportunities, the Minister added.
The Scheme envisages need-based assistance for replacement of production equipment, setting up of common facility centres (CFC), product development, quality improvement, improved marketing, training and capacity building.
The Target for the revamped SFURTI Clusters under 12th Five Year Plan is to set up 800 clusters under KVI and Coir with an outlay of Rs 850 crore to cover 4 lakh artisans across the country.