The Union Home and Cooperation Minister, Amit Shah distributed 2,298 machines and toolkits to artisans at the 'Khadi Karigar Mahotsav' in Rohtak. During the event, projects worth Rs 33.66 crore for the Khadi sector were inaugurated and foundation stones laid online. Margin money subsidy of Rs 301 crore and 8,310 new PMEGP units worth Rs 741.16 crore were launched online. Digitally, he inaugurated new units and laid the foundation stone and inaugurated several projects in various parts of the Country
Addressing at the "Khadi Karigar Mahotsav" held at the Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU) campus in Rohtak, Haryana, Amit Shah said that Mahatma Gandhi made Khadi a strong foundation of Swadeshi and self-reliance during the freedom movement. However, Congress governments disregarded this. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, both during his tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat and after becoming Prime Minister, pledged to revive Khadi. He mentioned that over the years, sales of Khadi and village industry products have increased from ₹33,000 crore to ₹170,000 crore. He further stated that many companies in the country do not have a turnover of ₹170,000 crore, and even those that do, their profits go to a few persons. Every single profit from Khadi's ₹170,000 crore turn over is used to provide employment to weavers and other women across the country.
Asserting that when we wear Khadi, we are not just wearing single apparel; we are embracing the spirit of Swadeshi and self-reliant India, he appealed to all citizens of the country that every family must purchase Khadi worth Rs. 5000, so that the country develops towards self-reliance. He further said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is moving towards becoming a developed Nation. Khadi will play a significant role when India celebrates the centenary of independence. Khadi and Village Industries are becoming a powerful platform for millions of weavers. KVIC has strengthened India's economy by adopting the Prime Minister's mantra of "Khadi for Nation, Khadi for Fashion, and Khadi for Transformation." He added.
In his address, Haryana Chief Minister, Nayab Saini called the event as a celebration of 'Swadeshi and Self-reliant India'. He said, "Today, the land of Haryana is witnessing a new Swadeshi movement. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the tireless efforts of Amit Shah, Khadi has now become the most powerful symbol of a self-reliant India. The National Cooperative Policy 2025 is present in villages, among farmers, women, Dalits, and tribals.
The program also witness distribution of machines and toolkits to Khadi artisans, and margin money subsidies to beneficiaries under the Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP).
The event commenced with the lighting of a lamp and the unveiling of the "Khadi Pagdi." Then a short film on Khadi was screened. On this occasion, Amit Shah distributed 2,298 machines and toolkits (including electric potter's wheel, spinning wheel, sewing machines, incense sticks, leather repair toolkits, mobile and AC repair toolkits, etc.) to artisans from Haryana. The Home Minister also honored five senior Khadi artisans.
Through virtual medium, the Home Minister dedicated, laid the foundation stone, and launched several KVIC projects across the country at a cost of ₹33.66 crore, including:-
• Inauguration of the modern renovated architectural plan of existing outlet of 'Khadi Gramyodyog Bhavan' at Connaught Place, New Delhi, into a 'Khadi Mall'.
• Inauguration of the newly constructed building of the KVIC Divisional Office in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh.
• Inauguration of 762 newly constructed workshops for Khadi artisans.
• Inauguration of 35 renovated sales outlets across the country.
• Inauguration of the Organic Cotton Central Sliver Plant in Wardha, Maharashtra.
• In addition, margin money subsidy of Rs 301 crore was distributed under PMEGP.
• Launch of 8310 new PMEGP units with an investment of Rs 741.16 crore.
Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Statistics and Programme Implementation and Planning and Minister of State for Culture, Rao Inderjit Singh, Union Minister of State for Cooperation, Krishan Pal Gurjar, and Manoj Kumar Chairman, Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) also graced the occasion.
(DIPR)