The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will pump in US$ 150 million (about Rs 675 crores) to promote khadi and village industries products, minister for small and medium enterprises Dinsha Patel said in Mumbai.

The money will help modernisation and development of the khadi sector which provides employment to more than one crore people and generates an income of Rs 24,116 crore.

The funds will be used to improve the technology used in khadi production, training facilities for skill development  and  promotion of “khadi” mark to position khadi as guaranteed hand spun and woven cloth. The emphasis is aimed at improving the quality and marketing of khadi and village industry products. As many as 2,000 khadi units across the country including 47 units in Maharashtra will be modernised.

Patel laid the foundation stone for a Khadi Plaza on Wednesday.

The 10,000 square feet air-conditioned plaza at Khadi Gramodyog Bhavan in Vile Parle suburb will have an exhibition hall with 50 stalls and auditorium on the first floor. State-wise stalls will be allotted to khadi and village industries institutions for a specific period on rotation, so that institutions from remote and inaccessible areas like the northeastern region, Jammu and Kashmir as well as from other parts of the country can come and exhibit regional khadi and village industries products for sale in Mumbai.

The Khadi Plaza will provide a platform to the rural artisans to market their wares and help provide sustainable employment.