New Delhi: Up to 27 countries – all except the West Bengal – received central approval to establish Mall PM Ekta for the demonstration and sale of indigenous products as part of the “One District, One Product” (ODOP) initiative.
The Union Government has cleared projects almost in value £4 796 Crore in the fiscal year 2023-24 within the system, shows official data.
The PM Ekta Mall, announced in the Budget of the Union 2023-24, aims to provide a reserved retail space for each territory of the State and Trade unions to support ODOP items, geographical indications (GI)-and local crafts.
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This system is carried out within Part VI of Special Aid to States for Capital Investment (Sasci) by the Ministry of Finance.
The State Minister for Trade and Industry Jitin Prasada informed Lok Sabha in a written response that on the recommendation of the Ministry of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) the Ministry of Expenditure approved detailed reports on projects (DPRS) 27 countries 27 countries.
According to Minister Lok Sabha on Tuesday, the highest allocation went to Uttar Pradesh, which was permitted to set up three Ekta shopping centers – each in Agra, Lucknow and Varanasi – to return £370.25 crore, due to the size of the state and the diversity of local crafts.
Madhya Pradesh follows with allocation £284 crore for shopping center in UJJAIN while Assam has been sanctioned £226 Crore for the Guwahati project.
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Tamil Nadu and Bihar also received considerable support, with £223 crore and £212.69 crore, build ekta Malls in Chennai and Patna.
Other important states include Gujarat and Telangana, each of which is sanctioned £202 Crore and Maharashtra who received £195.14 crore for Navi Mumbai Mall.
According to Sasci instructions, states had to submit detailed reports of projects with allocations made on the basis of a principle that previously previously proceedings. The government has earmarked a total £5,000 crore for scheme. States are obliged to provide land for shopping centers without costs or bear the cost of acquisition.
“The initiative is designed to create visibility at a retail level for traditional and regional products in India and offer craftsmen and producers a permanent marketing platform in the main city places,” Prasada said in a written answer to Lok Sabha.
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“All states are called to set up Mall PM Ekta Mall (Unity Mall), announced in the Budget of the Union 2023-24, for promotion and sale of OTOP, GI products and other crafts from all over the country,” the Minister said.
The Mall must be best placed in state capitals or in financial or tourism in cases where it offers better visibility.
While 27 countries have received approval and financing, states/UT, which are yet to start working or to ensure central permission for their Ekta Mall projects, include West Bengal, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Chandigarh, Ladakh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep and Puduchherry.
This initiative is expected to strengthen ODP and GI products and provide greater access to the market for craftsmen, weavers and small manufacturers, which will be in line with the wider goal to support local business and independence.
(Tagstotranslate) PM Ekta Malls (T) One District One Product (T)
