(a) the details of amount of the financial assistance provided to the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) and the number of khadi products made/manufactured in the country during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise; and
(b) the other steps taken by the Government to promote khadi production in the country?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
FOR MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
(SHRI GIRIRAJ SINGH)
(a): Details of funds provided to Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) for the last three years and the current year are as follows:
(Rs. in crore)
<pre>
Year Funds released to KVIC
2014-15 316.25
2015-16 239.70
2016-17 450.13
2017-18 (RE) 1074.21*
</pre>
* There is a common budget allocation for Plan and Non-Plan from 2017-18 onwards which includes Rs.285.35 cr. of GIA salaries, Pension & OAE, etc. During 2017-18 KRDP (ADB Assistance) budget has been enhanced to Rs.372.80 cr. in comparison to previous year’s allocation of Rs.5 cr.
State/UT-wise performance (quantity & value) of Khadi (Cotton, Wollen & Silk) for the last three years 2014-15 to 2016-17 is placed at Annexure-I. Bifurcated figures of Khadi (Cotton, Wollen & Silk) for the year 2017-18 are not available, figures of Khadi and Polyvastra for the current year 2017-18 (upto 28.2.2018) is placed at Annexure-II.
(b): Ministry of MSMEis implementing the following schemes/ programmes all over the country through KVIC in order to promote khadi production in the country:
i) Khadi Grant:
1. Strengthening Infrastructure of existing Weak Khadi Institutions and Assistance for Marketing Infrastructure provides for renovation of khadi sales outlets and providing assistance for strengthening infrastructure of existing weak selected institutions
2. Workshed Scheme for Khadi Artisans for providing assistance for construction of worksheds.
ii) Market Promotion Development Assistance (MPDA) – A unified scheme by merging Market Development Assistance, Publicity, Marketing and Market Promotion. A new component for Infrastructure namely setting up of Marketing Complexes /Khadi Plazas has been added to expand the marketing network of Khadi & VI products. Under the Modified MDA (MMDA) financial assistance at 30% of the Prime Cost, is distributed amongst Producing Institutions (40%), Selling Institutions (20%) and Artisans (40%).
iii) Interest Subsidy Eligibility Certificate (ISEC) Scheme provides credit at concessional rate of interest through Banks as per the requirement of the Khadi institutions. The institutions are required to pay interest of only 4%, any interest charged by banks over 4% will be paid by the Government of India through KVIC to the banks.
iv) Khadi Reform and Development Programme (KRDP) aims to revitalize the khadi sector with enhanced sustainability of khadi, increased incomes and employment for spinners and weavers, increased artisans’ welfare and to achieve synergy with village industries. Under KRDP, restructured amount of US$ 105 million has been negotiated with Asian Development Bank (ADB) and funds are being provided to the Government of India to be released to KVIC as ‘grants-in-aid’ under budgetary allocation through the Ministry of MSME. Khadi Reform Package envisages reform support in the following areas: (i) Artisan Earnings and Empowerment, (i)Direct Reform Assistance to 400 Khadi Institutions & (iii) Implementation of a well-knit MIS.
v) Strengthening infrastructure of weak Khadi institutions and assistance for marketing infrastructure: This scheme provides need-based support towards the Khadi sector for nursing the sick/problematic institutionsfor elevation from “D” to “C” category as well as those whose production, sales and employment have been declining. Under this scheme, financial assistance is provided to existing weak Khadi Institutions for strengthening of their infrastructure and for renovation of khadi sales outlets.
vi) Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI)is being implemented from 2005-06 for making Khadi, Village Industries & Coir Traditional Industries more productive and competitive by organizing these Industries and artisans into clusters. The Scheme envisages providing need-based assistance for replacement of production equipment, setting up of common facility centres (CFC), product development, quality improvement, improved marketing, training and capacity building, etc.
In addition to this, following initiatives have been taken to enhance the production of Khadi products.
i) Liberal policy has been adopted to fix the target of production and sales of Khadi Institutions.
ii) One of the key interventions under reform programme is the development and implementation of the Khadi Mark. The Khadi Mark was launched by the President of India in September 2013 subsequent to notification of the Khadi Certification Regulations 2013. The Khadi Mark not only guarantees the genuineness of Khadi products but also promote Khadi as a brand that connotes social, cultural, and environmental values.
iii) To ensure the quality of Khadi, KVIC supplies sliver and roving of high quality to the Khadi Institutions. For this purpose, 6 Central Sliver Plants are run by KVIC at Kuttur (Kerala), Chitradurga (Karnataka), Sehore (Madhya Pradesh), Raebareli & Etah (Uttar Pradesh) and Hajipur (Bihar).
iv) Retail outlets/business selling Khadi & Village Industry (KVI) products procured from KVI Institutions certified by KVIC and products manufactured by Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP)/SFURTI units only may be permitted under PMEGP across the country.