OREANDA-NEWS. March 23, 2015. To promote traditional industries and create employment in rural areas and prepare action plan to ensure successful interaction and create platform for the exchange of ideas/thoughts on cluster developments, a National level workshop on revamped SFURTI (Scheme of fund for regeneration of traditional industries) ‘was organized by Khadi and Village Industries Commission, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises here today.

Shri Kalraj Mishra, Union Minister, Ministry of MSME in his key note address announced that during this 5 year plan 800 SFURTI clusters will be set up which will a great boost to the khadi and village industries. During the last five decades, KVIC has been promoting millions of traditional rural artisans and entrepreneurs of the country and is providing employment opportunities, the Minister said.

The Minister stated that modernization 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. He further stated that this new phenomenon would enhance sustainable opportunities in this field.

Shri Giriraj Singh, Minister of State, for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises was the guest of honor.

Books on SFURTI Guidelines, Success stories of Coir Cluster and EDP/SDP training with RSETIs were released on the occasion.

The scheme was announced with the financial allocation of Rs.72.94 crores with a target to implement 75 clusters (25 Khadi & 50 V.I.) in KVI sector. However, the Steering Committee of SFURTI approved 79 clusters (i.e. 29 Khadi and 50 Village Industries).

The Target for the revamped SFURTI Clusters under 12th five Year Plan to setup 800 Clusters under KVI and Coir with an outlay of Rs.850 Cr. to cover 4 Lakh Artisans across the Country. Assistance from Multilateral Development Bank is also to be leverage to extend support under SFURTI Programme.



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