core sector communique

Village industries more relevant in an age of Globalisation-Jairam

Union Minister for Rural Development Shri Jairam Ramesh said that village industries and particularly Khadi have become more relevant in India in an age of privatization, liberalization and globalization. Talking to media after inaugurating an Exhibition on Gandhiji Textiles of Peace here, Shri Ramesh said, his endeavor will be to bring more and more industries in the rural India, so that more jobs can be created for rural prosperity. He said, though MGNREGA is doing a good job in providing livelihood security to the rural poor, but there is also a need for creating permanent assets in the rural areas. Dwelling on the issue of Panchayati Raj, the Minister said the vision of Gandhiji for stronger and self-sufficient panchayats must be fulfilled and there is need for empowering the local bodies with more and more autonomy, particularly independent financial powers to undertake developmental works in a more efficient way. He said, from this year onward, one percent of the Rural Development Ministry’s budget that comes about 1000 crore rupees will be given for strengthening the panchayati raj institutions in the country.