Raipur . Village Industries Minister Gajendra Yadav's grant demands for the Village Industries Department for the year 2026-27, totaling ₹228 crore 84 lakh 90 thousand, were passed in the Assembly on March 13th. He stated that the state government is committed to strengthening the rural economy, in accordance with Prime Minister Modi's commitment and vision of a developed India.

Minister Yadav stated that the government's objective is to create new employment opportunities in rural areas by encouraging traditional weavers, artisans, and cottage industries, and to preserve traditional art and culture. Promoting

employment in rural areas
, Yadav stated that various beneficiary-oriented schemes are being implemented in the rural areas of the state through the Silk, Handloom, Handicrafts Development Board, Khadi and Village Industries Board, and the Clay Art Board. Through these schemes, approximately 315,350 people are being provided direct and indirect employment. The Minister

of the Silk Division,
Village Industries, informed that in order to promote the production and expansion of tussar silk in the state, a provision of Rs. 59 crore 82 lakh has been made under the Natural and Cultivated Tussar Cocoon Production Development Scheme in the year 2026-27. Through this scheme, a target of producing 21 crore 59 thousand tussar cocoons has been set in the state. To encourage the development and expansion of mulberry silk, a provision of Rs. 4 crore 25 lakh has been made under the Mulberry Silk Extension Program and Motivation Development Scheme. Along with this, a budget of Rs. 76 lakh has been kept in the year 2026-27 under the Training and Research Scheme, through which 1450 beneficiaries will be trained in modern techniques.

Handloom Division:
Under the Samagra Handloom Vikas Yojana, for the works like training of weavers of the state, availability of advanced looms, construction of workshop building, warehouse and design development, 1206 weavers were benefited by approving an amount of Rs. 5 crore 3 lakh 54 thousand till February 2026 in the year 2025-26. A provision of Rs. 5 crore 60 lakh has been made for this in the budget of the year 2026-27.

Weavers Workshop-cum-Housing Scheme:
Minister Yadav informed that to provide housing to homeless weavers, under the Weavers Workshop-cum-Housing Scheme, an amount of Rs. 4 crore 90 lakh has been approved till February 2026 in the year 2025-26 and 196 weavers have been benefited. A provision of Rs. 4 crore 90 lakh has also been made for the year 2026-27. Additionally, 47,640 weavers from 335 weaver committees are getting employment through government textile supplies. Meanwhile, sewing uniforms is providing additional employment to 23,052 women from 1,921 women's self-help groups.

Chhattisgarh Khadi and Village Industries Board
The Village Industries Minister informed that the Chhattisgarh Khadi and Village Industries Board is actively working to create employment through cottage industries in rural areas. Under the Chief Minister's Employment Generation Programme, projects worth Rs. 11 crore 3 lakh were approved for 502 units in the year 2024-25, out of which Rs. 3 crore 67 lakh 81 thousand was provided as grant assistance. A budget provision of Rs. 8 crore has been made for the establishment of family-based units in the year 2026-27.

Chhattisgarh Handicraft Development Board Minister Yadav informed that the Handicraft Development Board is working to promote the state's traditional crafts such as bell metal, iron craft, bamboo craft, wood craft, stone craft, tattoo craft, wall painting, tumba craft, terracotta craft, carpet craft and embroidery. A provision of Rs
. 3 crore 90 lakh has been made in the year 2026-27 to provide training, advanced equipment and machinery to the artisans.

Ekta Mall
Yadav stated that the PM Ekta Mall has been established in Raipur to promote the marketing of products based on the state's traditional art and culture and "One District One Product." A budget provision of ₹93 crore has been made for this in the year 2026-27.

Chhattisgarh Matikala Board
Village Industries Minister stated that in order to make the state's potters self-reliant, the Matikala Board is providing free electric potter's wheels to registered artisans. So far, 9,464 electric potter's wheels have been distributed. A budget provision of ₹3 crore has been made for this in the year 2026-27.

Glazing Unit
He stated that five glazing units are being operated in the state to enhance the value of clay craft products. A provision of ₹4.3 crore has been made for their operation and for the establishment of a new glazing unit in village Goriya, development block Kunkuri, district Jashpur.

Employment and preservation of culture through rural industries
Minister Yadav expressed confidence that the Village Industries Department will not only increase livelihood opportunities at the local level by strengthening the traditional cottage industries, handicrafts and rural employment and self-employment of the state, but will also play an important role in the preservation and promotion of the rich cultural heritage of the state.