Sanjay Kumar Pandey
Ranchi/Khunti : In a bid to empower rural artisans in Jharkhand, the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of India, distributed machinery and toolkits to rural artisans at the Agricultural Science Center in Torpa, Khunti district, under the Gramodyog Development Scheme. During the distribution program, central Minister of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare and Member of Parliament from Khunti constituency, Shri Arjun Munda, along with KVIC Chairman Shri Manoj Kumar, distributed modern equipment to 758 trained artisans and certificates to 100 trainees. The program was attended by local MLAs, former Lok Sabha Speaker Padma Bhushan Kariya Munda, former KVIC Eastern Region member Manoj Kumar Singh, and former expert member of KVIC Padma Shri Ashok Bhagat.
Additionally, under the Gramodyog Development Scheme, 60 beekeepers were provided with 600 bee boxes, among other equipment and tools distributed. Minister Shri Arjun Munda highlighted the global recognition Khadi has received through initiatives like “Vocal for Local” and “Make in India,” emphasizing KVIC’s efforts to empower rural artisans. He urged the youth to engage in the “New India’s New Khadi” movement to contribute to the development of a self-reliant India. Addressing the beneficiaries, KVIC Chairman Shri Manoj Kumar emphasized the significant progress made in the sale of Khadi products in the past nine years, attributing it to the government’s initiatives for self-reliant India. He stated that KVIC is providing extensive training and distributing machinery and toolkits to skilled artisans in rural areas.
Over the years, KVIC has distributed various equipment and toolkits to artisans in Jharkhand, significantly impacting their livelihoods. He further mentioned the establishment of new units under the PMEGP, creating thousands of new jobs in the state. The distribution program was attended by representatives from Khadi institutions, artisans, beneficiaries of the Gramodyog Development Scheme, bank officials, KVIC, and Jharkhand government officials.
