RS passes KVIC Amendment Bill

New Delhi, Mar 11 (UNI) The Rajya Sabha today passed the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2006 aimed at revamping the Commission to boost sales of khadi in and outside the country.

Piloting the Bill, Minister for Small Scale Industries Mahabir Prasad said the members should remove from their minds the impression that the revamping was intended to be brought for political reasons as it was to make KVIC extend its wings in six regions generating employment for backward sections of the society and tribals in rural and remote areas and make the organisation globally competitive.

The Bill has already been passed in the Lok Sabha.

The Minister said the government would not work under pressure and would implement the National Common Minimum Programme of the UPA and help suppressed sections of the society, women and tribals.

The Centre, he said, was working on providing appropriate technology and new designs that will be acceptable in the domestic as well as global markets and at the same time ensure that corruption does not flourish in the Commission like it used to in the past.

The amendments recommended by an expert committee, which submitted its report on April 6 last year provides for, among other things, constitution of zonal committees and prescribes for ten-year a experience in appropriate fields to be become a member of the KVIC.

It also stipulates that the tenure of the chairman and members of Commission should not exceed five years and they would hold office at the pleasure of the central government.

The Centre also has been conferred powers to re-establish the Commission after its dissolution.

Several members including Mr Devdas Apte (BJP) Mr Moti Lal Vora, (INC), Matilal Sarkar (CPM), Dr K Malaisamy (AIADMK), Mr Ramdeo Bhandari (RJD), Mr Surendra Lath (BJP), Mr Moolchand Meena (INC), Mr Jayanti Lal Baro (BJP) and Mrs Jamna Devi Barupal (INC) participated in the debate.

UNI BBS/MCN LR KP1350