The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has selected nine states to set up Rural Business Hubs. These are aimed at promoting local products and skills and will be set up in Assam, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, said an official release.The products selected for the rural business hub in Uttaranchal is seasonal fruits.The Ministry and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) have initiated steps for establishing canning and fruit processing centres in Uttaranchal in coordination with the existing small processing units, The Rajasthan government has also shown keen interest in showcasing the artistic skills special to the state.The Rural Business Hubs have been modelled on the China’s Town and Village Enterprises and the Thailand model of ‘‘One Tambon One Product’’ . The products will be sold through marketing link provided by stakeholders like government agencies and private entrepreneurs.
