VILLAGE INDUSTRIES REGISTER GROWTH
IN PRODUCTION AND EMPLOYMENT
Agro and rural industries
have registered growth in production and employment. The value
of production in this sector has increased from Rs. 7140.52 crores
during 2001-02 to Rs. 7932.39 crores during 2002-03 and the employment
has also registered an upward trend from 54.16 lakhs job opportunities
during 2001-02 to 57.87 lakhs job opportunities during 2002-03.
With the globalisation
of the Indian economy, the industries in the country, including
cottage and rural industries, are facing greater competition in
the market. The strategy of the Government is to strengthen the
cottage and rural industry sector to enable it to remain competitive
in the market led economy and generate additional jobs. The Government
has announced a Khadi package on 14.05.2001, which seeks to provide
a competitive edge for cottage and rural industries in the changed
implementation and inter-alia, consist of creation of packaging
and design facilities, measures to promote marketing, brand building,
cluster development etc.
This information
was given by the Minister of States for Agro and Rural industries,
Shri Sangh Priya Gautam in written reply to a question in Lok
Sabha today.
