Kochi: The Kerala model of employee welfare initiatives in khadi sector is being emulated by other States. The State on Thursday occupies a leading position in the khadi map of the country, said Mahavir Prasad, union minister of small scale agro rural industries, here.

He was speaking after the opening ceremony of the seven-storey office-cummarketing complex of the Kerala Khadi and Village Industries Board. The new complex at Kochi will display wide range of khadi products .The minister lauded Kerala for topping in various spheres of life.

``Economic surveys by leading journals have acknowledged Kerala''s contribution. The State is also top on the khadi map,'''' he said. Kerala is also the only State to give a 10 percent rebate on khadi throughout the year, Mahavir Prasad said. He also praised the public and private sector banks in Kerala for assistance rendered to the khadi industry, the minister said.

In his presidential address, C.F. Thomas, rural development minister said marketing of khadi products was one of the challenges faced by the industry.``Our products are of high quality. But they can''t compete with the other major brands riding on big-budget ad campaigns. This complex will go a long way to help market khadi products,'''' the minister said.

Terming khadi as a solution to unemployment problem, he said khadi industries have given job opportunities to more than two lakh youth in the state. ``This can be followed in other states also,'''' he said.

Excise minister K.V. Thomas also spoke. K. Babu, dominic presentation and V.K. Ibrahimkunju, MLA, L. Radhakrishnan, secretary, industries, V.M. Kolakkadu, chairman, Kerala Khadi Employees Welfare Board, R. Prabhakar Rao, director, Khadi Commission, E.K. Chellappan and Baby Uzhathuval, Board members, offered felicitations.

K.C. Rajan, vice-chairman, welcomed the gathering and E. N. Govindankutty,marketing director proposed a vote of thanks.