Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Union MSME and Road Transport & Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has called for lasting and transformative change at the village level through innovative research-based technology specially adapted for rural areas.
Addressing a workshop at Mahatma Gandhi International Hindi University at Wardha in Maharashtra, Gadkari pointed out that Village Industries and Khadi generate as much as Rs 88,000 crore on an annual basis. This can be increased if policy is flexible and innovative and is aimed at improving the life of people living in villages. He also stressed that goods produced by village industries can be sold better if they are marketed better, according to a PIB release.
Recalling the philosophy of Mahatma Gandh, Vinobha Bhave, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, Ram Manohar Lohia, and Jayaprakash Narayan, he said that their aim was the same – to improve the lives of the poor living in villages. Unless solutions are found to ensure that employment is generated in the villages and they are clean and have enough facilities, the dreams of these leaders will not be fulfilled, he said. Migration of as much as 30% of the country’s population from rural areas took place since independence due to lack of growth of the village economy, Gadkari said.`
Pointing out that MSMEs contribute 30% of the GDP of India and there are 6.5 crore units, Gadkari said the government’s aim is to increase the contribution to 40% of GDP so that rural poor benefit. Policy has to be made which will empower the poor, he emphasised. The Minister said, “We are not in favour of westernisation, but we are in favour of modernisation in the villages. This is the time for socio-economic transformation.”