(a) whether the Government have made special arrangements for the sale of goods manufactured by rural industries;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether rural industries are being closed down because of uncertainty of sale of goods manufactured by them and it is affecting rural development badly; and
(d) if so, the scheme of the Government to revive these industries in the era of liberalisation?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SMALL SCALE INDUSTRIES, AGRO AND RURAL INDUSTRIES, MINISTER OF STATE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL AND TRAINING, DEPARTMENT OF PENSIONS AND PENSIONERS WELFARE OF THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE DEPARTMENTS OF ATOMIC ENERGY AND SPACE (SHRIMATI VASUNDHARA RAJE)
(a) to (d): The viability of industries, including those located in rural areas, inter alia, depends upon the sales as well. The Government of India announced a package for the promotion of Khadi and Village Industries sector on 14th May, 2001. The main features of this package comprises a Rebate Policy for five years, options of Rebate and Market Development Assistance (MDA), Insurance cover to Khadi artisans, emphasis on improvement of Khadi products, creation of packaging and design facilities measures to promote marketing, brand building, cluster development, focus on core areas and provision of additional working capital.