THIRD MEETING OF NATIONAL KHADI & VILLAGE  INDUSTRIES BOARD HELD 

The Minister for Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Shri Mahabir Prasad has said that the Government is proposing to provide Rs.84 crore as assistance for 200 institutions for replacement of Charkhas and looms and for making the Khadi industry more competitive and profitable. Speaking at the inaugural session of the third meeting of the National Khadi & Village Industries Board (NKVIB) on 16^th July, 2008 in New Delhi. He said his ministry planning to include 45 institutions managed by persons belonging to SC/STs under this scheme with a view to promote inclusive growth. He said this scheme will make the Khadi Industry more market driven and provide higher wages to artisans. 

The Minister said for Khadi artisans, the Government had introduced a pilot scheme of ‘Workshed for Khadi artisans’ under which we are going to provide worksheds to 38,000 Khadi artisans, at a maximum cost of Rs.25,000 per unit. Through this scheme, he said, the Government is hopeful of providing the spinners in particular, a better working environment, which will improve their productivity and income. 

Spelling out the Government’s steps to make Khadi sector more competitive in this era of globalization, Shri Mahabir Prasad said his ministry has recognize the need for modern marketing strategies in the sector and is formulating a new scheme on marketing development assistance to Khadi institutions. He said the new scheme is expected to provide assistance towards renovation, computerization, marketing infrastructure, quality improvement of products, better packaging of Khadi products etc. 

The Minister said his ministry is planning to strengthen Rural Employment Generation Programme by bringing in wide spread improvement in the scheme. He said in the rural areas, the women are becoming co-partners of men in earning of livelihood. Hence, it is our endeavour to formulate new schemes for implementation, keeping in view their social environment. He said he will request banks particularly those operating in the far flung areas to cooperate in the implementation of Khadi schemes, which are related to increase in employment opportunities. 

The day long meeting discussed among other things agenda items relating to improving the marketability of Khadi Village Industry products, role of science and technology in the changing market scenario, streamlining of Khadi sector, export performance of KVICs, pereformance of various schemes in NER etc. 

Chairperson of KVIC, Smt. Kumud Joshi and senior officials of the ministry and Members of the National Khadi and Village Industries Board attended the meeting.