The Hindu Business Line : Council for rural business hubs to be set up: Aiyar

The Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas and Panchayati Raj, Mr Mani Shankar Aiyar, with CII's past President, Mr Sunil Kant Munjal, addressing a luncheon meeting in the Capital on Saturday. — Ramesh Sharma

New Delhi , June 25

THE Government has announced it would constitute a council on rural business hubs to take forward the suggestions and recommendations that emerged from the National Conference On Panchayati Raj held in November last year.

Announcing the decision, Mr Mani Shankar Aiyar, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Panchayati Raj, said a council, co-chaired by Mr Sunil Kant Munjal, past President, CII, and himself, would be constituted.

Mr Aiyar was addressing industry representatives at an interactive meeting, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry on Saturday.

He said the council would also have on its board representatives from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development and the Institute of Engineers. A notification to this effect will be announced soon, he added.

Mr Aiyar also said a working committee, which will work in tandem with the high-powered council, would be set up. It will be co-chaired by Mr Wajahat Habibullah, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, and Mr S. Sen, Deputy Director General, CII. Mr Aiyar said the main thrust of the two groups would be to build on the existing cultural and knowledge base at the Panchayat level, which he believes would uplift the country's entrepreneurship.

Earlier, Mr Munjal said the Indian industry depends on the rural markets and the Panchayat leaders could play an important role.

Rural areas could act as as knowledge centres where the traditional knowledge of villagers about herbs and medicinal plants could be documented and shared with herbal drugs manufacturers.

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