Govt to boost khadi industry

Indian government has decided to set up 800 SFURTI (Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries) clusters with an investment of Rs 850 crore by March 2017 to boost khadi and village industries, according to media reports.

“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,” micro small and medium enterprises minister Kalraj Mishra said at a workshop organised by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) in Delhi recently.

Mishra said that during the 12th Five year plan (2012-17), 800 SFURTI clusters will be set up which will be a great boost to the khadi and village industries.

The MSME Ministry had launched SFURTI in 2005 to promote cluster development. 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 four lakh artisans across the country.