Minister for BC, EWS Welfare, Handlooms and Textiles S Savitha said on Monday that Andhra Pradesh Khadi and Village Industries Board (APKVIB) is playing a vital role in providing employment to the youth and suggested that the local people's representatives and APKVIB officials should work in coordination in the sanctioning of self-employment units and ensure that the eligible unemployed youth are benefited. 

The Minister directed that efforts should be made to set up Khadi clusters in the state. In a review meeting, APKVIB CEO Simhachalam briefed Minister Savitha about the number of units set up under APKVIB during the year. 

As per the APKVIB CEO,  the Union Government has set a target of setting up 1,060 units in 2025-26 and 3,595 units have been set up exceeding the target. A sum of Rs 39.20 crore has been provided as margin money for the establishment of these units. There are 39,545 people employed in 3,595 units. 

At present, training is being imparted in tailoring, fashion designing, loom works, candle making, leaf cups and plates. 

The minister suggested that as part of self-employment, more awareness should be created about setting up units through the Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) under APKVIB and also use social media wherever necessary to promote the formation of units of self-employment schemes. 

A meeting with the beneficiaries of the units will be held soon, she said and instructed APKVIB CEO Simhachalam to chalk out plans for setting up Khadi clusters in the state.