(a) the details of funds allocated and provided for economically weaker sections
through Khadi and Village Industries Commission in the country during each of the last
three years, State-wise; and
(b) the number of persons benefited during the said period?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
(SHRI MAHABIR PRASAD)
(a): Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) is a statutory body established by
Khadi and Village Industries Commission Act 1956 for the development of khadi and village
industries and for matters connected therewith. Accordingly, KVIC has been implementing
various programmes/schemes for the development and promotion of khadi and village industries.
Though the programmes/schemes implemented by KVIC do not specifically target economically
weaker sections, the beneficiaries of these programmes are khadi and rural artisans/
entrepreneurs, including khadi spinners, weavers, etc., most of whom belong to economically
weaker sections or below poverty line category. And also, under the Rural Employment
Generation Programme (REGP), being implemented through KVIC, a higher subsidy of 30 % is
provided to the weaker sections of the society, including Scheduled Caste / Scheduled
Tribes / Minority / Women / Physically Handicapped, etc. as against 25 % for general category.
The State/Union Territory-wise details of funds provided under KVI programme during
the last 3 years for various programmes/schemes in khadi and village industries sector
are given at Annex.
(b): The number of persons benefited in terms of employment during 2004-05, 2005-06 and
2006-07 in village industries and khadi sectors is given below:
Year Employment (lakh persons) Khadi Village industries
2004-05 8.64 68.14 2005-06 8.68 74.09 2006-07 8.84 80.08