Honey hubs to be created for SC/STs at Kodaikanal, Vadipatti and Kadayam
Priority for small projects in the range of Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 3 lakh
Emphasis on production of fly-ash bricks and palm products
The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) plans to focus on creating employment opportunities for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SC/STs) in rural areas of southern districts.
The Central Government body plans to start new khadi institutions near their habitations and make them stakeholders of them, K. Krishnaswamy, the new Director of KVIC Madurai Division, told The Hindu.
He took charge on Monday from M.T. Wakode, who has been transferred to Nagpur. The Madurai Region comprises 10 southern districts.
Plans are afoot to establish honey hubs for hill tribes at Kodaikanal, Vadipatti near Madurai and Kadayam near Tenkasi in Tirunelveli district.
The Royal Jelly, secreted by the bees, is now imported in large quantities for use in cosmetics.
Local production of this product could be very lucrative, he said.
Under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), the Madurai division has been allotted Rs. 5.48 crore. Priority would be given to small projects in the range of Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 3 lakh such as mud pot and Plaster of Paris units and fruit processing centres for which abundant potential exists at Kodaikanal and Thandigudi in Dindigul district.
Establishing environment-friendly industries such as manufacturing of fly-ash bricks would also be given attention as they could feed the rapidly-growing construction sector in a sustainable manner.
To promote manufacturing of khadi readymade garments that would attract the youth, design development workshops would be held for tailoring units.
Modern printing technology in khadi fabrics would be introduced at units in the Madurai division for increasing sales. Major exhibitions would also be held in various southern districts as they provide a platform to artisans to display their products.
Palm candy and palm sugar manufacturing units would be promoted and consumption of neera (‘padaneer’) popularised, he said.