MSME Ministry proposes inclusion of khadi spinning in MNREGA

JAIPUR: Khadi spinning may be included under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act ( MGNREGA) if a proposal of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) goes through.

MSME Minister Virbhadra Singh said today that since the daily wages of spinners is low, compared to fixed minimum wages, it was necessary to make efforts for those working in this sector as well.

"My ministry will prepare and forward a proposal before the Union Cabinet seeking inclusion of spinning work under MGNREGA," Singh said at the inaugural ceremony of a state-level Khadi and Gramodyog here.

He said he would also request the Prime Minister and Finance Minister to waive the loans of weavers who are not capable of repaying the amount.

Terming 'khadi' a hot-cake of the future, Singh highlighted the need for an aggressive marketing strategy to popularise it.

He informed that the government was also considering a symbol for khadi to ensure uniformity.

"Standard hand-made products are in demand in developed nations across the globe, but the country itself is a big market for such products and all that is needed is a perfect and smart marketing for such products. I am quite optimistic about the prospects of Khadi, which is going to be a hot-cake of the future. For this, we need to focus on a perfect marketing strategy," Singh said at the function.