Union Minister for Rural Development Jairam Ramesh today called for strengthenning the Khadi and rural industry to create more jobs and livelihoods in the rural areas. Speaking to reporters after inaugurating the Khadi and Malka Exhibition at the National Archives in New Delhi today, Mr. Ramesh said, he would endeavour to create more industries in rural India, so that more jobs are created for rural prosperity. He said, that the Government is also keen on strengthening Panchayat Raj institutions especially gram panchayats as envisioned by Gandhiji, giving them more financial, administrative and political rights.

He said that there is a need for creating permanent assets in the rural areas and also convergence among the Government's social welfare programs. He said, MGNREGA Scheme is performing well in providing job opportunities and livelihood to the rural poor. He also said that from this year, one percent of the Rural Development Ministry's budget of about 1000 crores rupees will be given for strengthening of the Panchayati Raj institutions in the country.

The exhibition on Gandhiji's Textiles of Peace – Khadi and Malka at the National Archives in New Delhi, would be open to the general public from 11 am to 8 pm from Tuesday till the 11th of this month.