Lucknow: A special program was organized in the auditorium of Udyan Bhawan by UP Khadi and Village Industries Board and UP Matikala Board, in which free tool kits were distributed to craftsmen and artisans from different areas of Lucknow.
This program was inaugurated by Rakesh Sachan, Minister of Khadi and Village Industries, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Export Promotion, Silk Industry, Textile Industry, Government of Uttar Pradesh. The chief guest inaugurated the program by lighting the lamp. In his address, Minister Sachan mentioned various public welfare schemes being run by the state government for the self-reliance and self-sufficiency of craftsmen and artisans. He informed that free tool kits are being distributed from time to time by the Matikala Board to provide self-employment opportunities to the youth of the potter community.
In this program, dona-pattal machines were symbolically distributed to 6 beneficiaries and electric wheels to 7 beneficiaries. Also, certificates for electric-driven wheel were distributed to 215 beneficiaries from various districts of Lucknow division.
Minister Sachan also talked about providing financial assistance to the artisans and craftsmen of Prajapati community under the Chief Minister Matikala Rozgar Yojana. On this occasion, divisional level Gramodyog Awards were given to three entrepreneurs who did excellent work in the field of rural industry. In this, the first prize of Rs 15,000 was given to Shabana Khatoon of Lucknow, second prize of Rs 12,000 was given to Vijay Pratap Singh of Rae Bareli, and third prize of Rs 1,000 was given to Rohit of Unnao, who was honored with a cash prize of Rs 1,000, a certificate, a garment, and a memento.
At the end of the ceremony, Minister Sachan encouraged all the craftsmen and artisans and congratulated the organizers of the department for the successful organization of the program.
Chief Executive Officer Dr. Ujjwal Kumar elaborated on the various schemes being run by the state government. He said that under the Mati Kala Yojana, attention is being paid to utensils made of clay.
