Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav emphasised that cottage and village industries, as the smallest units of industrialisation, have the potential to generate grassroots entrepreneurship and employment. He called for expanding activities at the village and family level, providing proper training, market linkage, and improved product presentation, while ensuring that products are made available through online platforms.
During a review meeting of the Cottage and Village Industries Department held at the Ministry, Dr. Yadav stated that districts like Ujjain, Maheshwar, Chanderi, Bhopal, and Gwalior, known for their handicrafts and handloom products, should receive special attention for branding and marketing.
He advised the department to shift from production-driven models to encouraging privately-led initiatives, fostering entrepreneurship at the local level. Minister of State for Cottage and Village Industries (Independent Charge) Shri Dilip Jaiswal, Chief Secretary Shri Anurag Jain, and Additional Chief Secretary (CM Office) Dr. Rajesh Rajora, among other officials, were present.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav also highlighted the need to include food-related products under the sector and promote beekeeping and honey production as allied activities for farmers. He suggested encouraging local youth near religious sites to engage in self-employment activities such as crafting deity garments, metal/wood/clay idols, and other religious paraphernalia. The Chief Minister lauded progress under the PM Vishwakarma Yojana
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav informed during the meeting that, to commemorate the 300th birth anniversary of Maa Ahilya Devi, a new saree collection inspired by designs and patterns carved on Maheshwar Fort will be launched in her name. The state also plans to develop silk centres into Silk Tourism hubs.