KVIC organises Machine and Toolkit Distribution Programme at Malda

Shri Manoj Kumar Chairman, KVIC distributes 1120 Machines and Toolkits to 490 Artisans of West Bengal under Gramodyog Vikas Yojana (GVY)

661 Machines and Toolkits Distributed to Artisans from 5 North Eastern States Virtually

More than 50 thousand Khadi Artisans get Employed through 464 Khadi Institutions in West Bengal

Kolkata, March 2, 2026 : To connect West Bengal artisans with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat,” “Vocal for Local,” “Made for World,” and “Har Ghar Swadeshi, Ghar Ghar Swadeshi” movements and to extend them the benefits of Central Government schemes, the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of India, organised a grand distribution event at Malda on Sunday. Chairman KVIC Manoj Kumar was the chief guest. Under the Gramodyog Vikas Yojana (GVY), 1,120 machines and toolkits were distributed to 490 trained artisans from West Bengal. Additionally, 661 machines and toolkits were distributed virtually to artisans from five North Eastern states. The event was graced by the presence of Shri Khagen Murmu, Member of Parliament from Malda North, and Smt. Shrirupa Mitra Chaudhary, MLA from English Bazar (Malda).

Addressing the artisans, Shri Manoj Kumar Chairman KVIC said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Khadi is now moving towards becoming a global brand. The artisans of West Bengal play a crucial role in this endeavour. A machine and toolkit distribution programme was organised to provide the artisans the benefits of Government of India schemes. He said that the “New Khadi of New India” is not just a textile, but has become a symbol of self-reliance, entrepreneurship, a strong rural economy, as well as Swadeshi and self-employment. The Gramodyog Vikas Yojana (GVY)is an important component of the Prime Minister’s “Make in India” and “Make for the World” campaigns, connecting rural artisans with employment and self-employment, making them economically self-reliant, including artisans from West Bengal.

On this occasion, various equipment were distributed to empower artisans, including 320 electric potter’s wheels, 700 Bee Boxes, 20 incense stick manufacturing machines, 40 waste-wood kits, 20 electrician toolkits, and 20 mobile repair toolkits.

In addition, machines and toolkits were also distributed virtually to artisans in the North-Eastern states, including 284 in Arunachal Pradesh, 152 in Nagaland, 100 in Mizoram, 97 in Tripura, and 28 in Manipur.

Discussing the development of Khadi and Village Industries in West Bengal, Chairman KVIC, Shri Manoj Kumar, also informed that 464 Khadi institutions are functioning here, providing employment to over 50,000 spinners, weavers, and Khadi workers.

The Chairman, KVIC, further stated that in line with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of making the rural economy the “Growth engine of India” and preventing migration, the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) is being effectively implemented by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission. He stated that a total of 8,419 units have been established under PMEGP from the financial year 2021-22 to February 2026 under the State Office, Kolkata, for which margin money subsidy of approximately Rs 316 crore has been released. These units have provided employment opportunities to over 73,000 people. He stated that over the past 11 years, the turnover of Khadi and Village Industries has exceeded Rs 1.70 lakh crore, while over 2 crore people have been employed during this period.

Representatives of Khadi institutions, beneficiaries of the Gramodyog Vikas Yojana (GVY) Khadi workers, along with officials and employees of the Government of West Bengal and KVIC were present at the event.

(This story has not been edited by News Mania staff and is published from a PIB- Media Release)