Minister calls for including Khadi and Village industry in education

Bangalore, Jan 27 (UNI) Union Minister of Small Scale, Agro and Rural Industries Mahavir Prasad today called for including in the Educational curriculam the Khadi and Village Industry as a subject.

Speaking after inaugurating a month-long National Level Khadi and Village Industries Exhibition here, he said that there is need to include Khadi and Village Industry as subject so that the younger generation learn about father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi's vision in promoting Khadi industry for the development of rural areas in the country.

Referring to lack of cooperation by the Bank in extending loan to Khadi industries, Mr Prasad said that as per Credit Guarantee Scheme each and every Bank should give loan to Khadi and village industries. " I dont know where the problem lyes. The Centre was prepared to extended colatoral guarantee to the tune of Rs 50 lakhs to the Banks for extending loan, still they (Banks) are not coming forward", he regreted.

Union Minister of State for Shipping K H Muniyappa, in his address as Chief guest, stressed the need for good marketing for Khadi products. "China was strongly committed for development of rural industries and India should also take steps to build strong marketing of rural industry products." Mr Muniyappa urged the Commercial Banks to be liberal and extend loan to Khadi industries. " A new mechanism needs to be developed to see that Banks go to Khadi producer and extend loan", he added.

Coming down heavily on huge rebate reimbursement due from the Union and State government to the Khadi institutions, Opposition leader in Karnataka Legislative Council H K Patil said that steps should be taken to see that the rebate amount was shown in the Annual Budget of both Centre and State Budgets.

Khadi and Village Industry Commission Chairperson Sushri Kumud Joshi, in her address, stressed the need for putting an end to supply of spurious Khadi, which not only spoiling the name of the industry but also the country. "Commission would extend protection to the Khadi Centres which are producing quality product. Western countries want good cotton and KVIC can take advantage of globalisation by supplying good quality product to safeguard the industry and upkeep the country's name in the world", she added.

UNI