Workshed scheme for khadi artisans approved

New Delhi, Jun 5 (UNI) The Government has approved a scheme for khadi weavers and spinners essentially belonging to the BPL category, providing them Rs 95 crore as Central assistance for the construction of more than 38,000 worksheds during the XIth Plan, it was announced today.

The additional funds-- about Rs 32 crore-- would be provided by the khadi institutions with which these aritisans are associated, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Minister Mahabir Prasad said in a press release.

He said the scheme, called the workshed scheme for khadi artisans, was being implemented through the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC).

For individual workshed, of about 20 sq mt, Central assitance will be Rs 25,000 or 75 per cent of the cost of the workshed, whichever is less.

For group worksheds (for a group of minimum 5 and maximum 15 khadi artisans), providing for 15 sq mt per beneficiary, the Central assistance will be Rs 15,000 per beneficiary or 75 per cent of the total cost of the project, whichever is less.

In case of individual worksheds, the khadi institutions can also release the additional funds out of the Artisans Welfare Fund lying to the credit of the beneficiary with State Level Artisan Welfare Fund Trust.

''The financial assistance to be provided by the Government will go to the khadi institutions which will be responsible for the construction of worksheds, either directly or under their supervision, and KVIC will supervise the activities,'' Mr Prasad said.

UNI YJ RL RAI1951