India: 'Rural areas need industrial thrust'.

HYDERABAD, Feb. 27. WITH the removal of quantitative restrictions after April 1, the regulatory power of the Union and State Governments would greatly be reduced as, in the WTO era, all economic activities would function in the principle of competitive efficiency and free trade.

Therefore, in the post-liberalisation context, micro-enterprises are required to operate on a very competitive environment. These challenges have been fully appreciated by the Governments and agencies engaged in the promotion of micro-enterprises and self-help groups. The Union Rural Development Minister, Mr M. Venkaiah Naidu, expressed the need for promoting special areas for specific …