(a) the demand and production of khadi in the country during the last three years and current year, State-wise; and
(b) the details of the steps taken by the Government to ensure quality control and marketing development of Khadi in the country particularly Southern States?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRO AND RURAL INDUSTRIES ( SHRI SANGH PRIYA GAUTAM )
(a): A Statement on the State-wise details of the demand and
production of khadi in the country during the last three years is
enclosed as Annexure-I and State-wise statement on demand and
production of Khadi for the current year is enclosed as Annexure-II.
(b): To ensure quality control and marketing development of khadi
in the country including the southern states, the Government on
14.05.2001 has announced a special khadi package which inter-alia
provides for option between rebate and Market Development
Assistance (MDA), creation of packaging and design facilities,
cluster development, technology upgradation, quality control,
aggressive marketing through brand building etc. Besides, setting
up of sliver plants for supplying quality sliver, availing
expertise from Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) like Dastkar
Andhra and Rural Development Agency (RUDA), Rajasthan, for
improvement of the quality as well as imparting training to khadi
artisans; collaborating arrangements with the National Institute
of Design (NID), Ahmedabad and National Institute of Fashion
Technology (NIFT) for developing better designs, fashions etc. in
khadi textiles; launching of `Stiff and Soft` finishing process of
khadi cloth with the help of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)
Delhi; and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed
with Textile Committee to make available laboratories for quality
testing/certification of khadi products. During 2002-03 (upto
February, 2003) state, district level and mobile exhibitions were
organized in various places in the southern states for promoting
sales.