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Government launches programme for artisans involved in manufacturing of agarbatti
Aug. 2, 2020

The government has approved a programme for the benefit of artisans involved in manufacturing of agarbatti and to develop village industry under the 'Gramodyog Vikas Yojana'. Initially four pilot projects will be started as part of the programme, including one in the North East.

The MSME Ministry said "this decision will help to boost the indigenous production of agarbatti and will pave way to generate rural employment".

Each targeted cluster of artisans will be supported with about 50 automatic agarbatti making machines and 10 mixing machines. Accordingly, a total of 200 automatic agarbatti making machines and 40 mixing machines will be provided to the artisans.

The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), a statutory organisation under the Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), will provide training, and assist artisans working in this area, with Agarbatti manufacturing machines.

The Centre earlier took two major decisions by placing the agarbatti item from "free" trade to "restricted" trade in the import policy and enhancing the import duty from 10 per cent to 25 per cent on 'round bamboo sticks' used for manufacturing of agarbatti for the benefit of the domestic industry.