Industries Minister Kishan Kapoor said that H.P. Khadi and Gramodyog Board had sent a proposal to Central Khadi Gramodyog Commission for setting up Khadi Plaza and Multipurpose Training Centre in Kangra district in which there would be 50 shops including conference hall, library and computer room with other latest facilities.

Industries Minister disclosed it in a meeting of Board of Directors of H.P. Handloom and Handicrafts Corporation and H.P. Khadi and Gramodyog Board. He said that a subsidy of Rs. 281.15 lakh had been provided by Khadi Gramodyog to 176 entrepreneurs in the year 2011-12 to set up micro industrial units in the State. He said that a decision has also been taken to shift Himachal Emporium, Bangalore to Kaveri in Karnataka with a view to popularise the handloom and handicrafts products of Himachal Pradesh in Karnataka. He said that the Government of Karnataka had agreed to this proposal and soon both the States would sign MoU to this effect.

He said that the business of the H.P. Handloom and Handicrafts Corporation had increased to Rs. 1960 lakh in the year 2011-12 which was higher than the profit earned in previous years. He said that due to allotment of sales counters and emporia the Corporation has also earned Rs. 788.57 lakh in the year 2011-2012 as compared to Rs. 211.5 lakh in the year 2008-09. Similarly, the earnings through exhibitions, expos and district level events had increased considerably to Rs. 155.94 lakh in the year 2011-12 as compared to Rs. 60.68 lakh in the year 2008-09. He said that there were 525 trained artisans in the State.

Dr. P.C. Kapoor, Principal Secretary, Industries, Lalit Mohan, Managing Director, State Handloom and Handicrafts Corporation, J.S. Rana, Director, Industries and other senior officers were present in the meeting.