In order to boost sales of Khadi products in the State, Khadi and Village Industries Board (KVIB) is contemplating to set up two Khadi Plazas at Pahalgam and Tangmarg. This was stated by the KVIB Vice Chairman, Peerzada Mansoor Hussain Soharwardy, while chairing a meeting to review the functioning of the Board here today.The Vice Chairman said that suitable land for two Khadi Plazas has already been identified and the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department has been asked to prepare Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) in this regard.It was said that KVIB has established more than 885 units under Prime Minister’s Employment Generation (PMEG) programme during 2016-17 by creating employment opportunities for 5312 artisans in the State.The VC was apprised that the KVIB has been given a tentative target for establishment of 693 units which include margin money of Rs 13.74 crore by the Union Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) which would provide employment opportunities to 5544 workers in the State.The meeting was informed that under Prime Ministers ‘Startup and Standup initiative’, the board has sponsored 2629 units involving the project cost of Rs 62.17 crore under textile sector to financing Banks under Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency Bank (MUDRA) scheme during 2016-17.It was given out that under Scheme for Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI) programme, 16 more clusters under SFURTI are at various stages of establishment. The approved clusters include Kashur Maunch Bee Keeping Cluster Srinagar, Sukhnag Sozni Embroidery Cluster Budgam, Martand Chain Stitch Anantnag.On the occasion, Soharwardy enjoined upon the officers to work with added dedication and zeal to provide handholding support to the aspirants of rural entrepreneurs’ especially unemployed youth. He emphasized the officers to organize the traditional industries on modern lines and to make them more productive, competitive and to ensure their sustainable development.The VC said that units like Nagam Bakery of Kokernag, and bakeries of Pampore and Charirsharief are distinct in taste and with a special niche of Kashmiri ethnic tradition. The meeting was attended by Secretary/CEO KVIB, Deputy Chief Executive Officer KVIB Kashmir, Divisional Officer KVIB Jammu, KVIB District officers and other concerned.