Odisha MSME Minister accuses Centre of neglecting State Khadi Board

Bhubaneswar, July 18 (KNN) The central government has not provided any grant to the State Khadi Board, said MSME Minister Pratap Deb in the State Assembly last week.

He said that to keep the board afloat the state government has been providing all the grants.

The Minister said it is regrettable that the Union Government had neglected the welfare of Khadi and village industries.

“A sum of Rs 2 crore has been provided to 21 Khadi Boards for providing salary and training of the staff as per the announcement by the State Government,” said the MSME minister.

He was replying to the principal question of BJP member Ganeshram Singh Khuntia and supplementary question of Opposition Chief Whip Mohan Majhi.

There are total 21 Khadi and Gramodyog societies in the State out of which four are managed by voluntary organisations and remaining 17 mills by private agencies, he said.

The Minister asserted that both the State and Central Governments have always insisted on privatising spinning mills.  (KNN Bureau)