Parliamentary panel scoffs at NID proposal

New Delhi, May 5 (UNI) Can an annual outlay of Rs 10 lakh per state in the country protect and develop handloom sector ?.

National Institute of Design (NID) thinks so and has made recommendation for the allocation to the Development Commissioner (Handlooms) in the states of Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu. An identical proposal has been made in respect of Chhatisgarh, Goa, Jharkhand, Orissa, and Uttarakhand.

However, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce holds a different view. In its 81st report presented to Rajya Sabha this week, the panel said it fail to comprehend as to what would be achieved with '' this meagre allocation,'' adding adequate budgetary allocation should be made for making substantial gains in the protection and development of handicrafts and handlooms.

UNI