Manoj Kumar, Chairman of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), along with others during the inaugural programme of the Joint State-Level Khadi and Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) Exhibition at the playground of Arya Vidyapeeth College in Guwahati on Tuesday.
Guwahati, February 13 (MExN): Manoj Kumar, Chairman of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, inaugurated the Joint State-Level Khadi and Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) Exhibition at the playground of Arya Vidyapeeth College in Guwahati on Tuesday.
On the occasion, 634 machines and toolkits were distributed to 460 beneficiaries under the Gramodyog Vikas Yojana (GVY). Training certificates were also awarded to 100 artisans who had completed training at the Multi-Disciplinary Training Centre (MDTC).
The exhibition, which will run until February 19, features 90 stalls showcasing products from Khadi, Village Industries and PMEGP units. Artisans and entrepreneurs from Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra are participating, displaying swadeshi and eco-friendly products.
Under the GVY scheme, 220 electric pottery wheels for potters, 300 bee boxes for beekeeping, 60 sewing machines and equipment related to 54 different village industry activities were distributed to beneficiaries. The initiative was described as aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Har Ghar Swadeshi, Ghar Ghar Swadeshi’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.
Addressing the gathering, Kumar said the event was a significant step towards realising the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Viksit Bharat@2047’, providing artisans and entrepreneurs an opportunity to connect with the market.
He said that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, Khadi and village industries have emerged as a strong foundation for a self-reliant India. Referring to Assam as the gateway to the Northeast, he said the skills of its artisans are contributing to the rural economy. He also expressed gratitude for the ‘Mahatma Gandhi Gram Swaraj Initiative’ announced in the recent Union Budget, stating that it would improve training, quality enhancement, branding and market access for artisans associated with Khadi and handicrafts.
Kumar said the “New Khadi of New India” was setting new benchmarks and promoting the ‘Viksit Bharat’ campaign. He informed that the “Khadi Revolution” has pushed the business turnover of Khadi and village industries beyond Rs 1.70 lakh crore over the last 11 years, generating employment for more than two crore people during the period.
Highlighting the achievements of the KVIC Guwahati State Office, he said that under PMEGP, Khadi Vikas Yojana and GVY, substantial progress has been made in the past three years. A total of 25 active Khadi institutions in Assam have generated employment for thousands of artisans.
Under PMEGP, 9,668 micro-units were established in Assam between 2022-23 and 2025-26 (up to January 31, 2026), with margin money subsidy exceeding Rs 258 crore disbursed, creating employment for more than 77,344 persons. Under GVY, 3,150 artisans in the state were provided 3,170 machines, equipment and toolkits over the past three years, boosting entrepreneurship, self-employment and rural livelihoods.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by representatives of Khadi institutions, PMEGP beneficiaries, Khadi workers, and officials of the Assam government and KVIC.
