New Delhi January 29
The government today approved a scheme for financial assistance to khadi and polyvastra, a synthetic variety of khadi, at an estimated cost of Rs 345.05 crore, which will be spent over the next two financial years.
Under the Market Development Assistance (MDA) scheme, which will come into effect from April 1, financial assistance of 20 per cent to khadi products and polyvastra will be shared among various stakeholders in the khadi chain.
The incentive will be shared among spinners or weavers, producing and selling institutions at 25 per cent, 30 per cent and 45 per cent, respectively.
The scheme was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on recommendations by the Expenditure Finance Committee.
The scheme is expected to result in sustainability and effective development of khadi, enhancement of artisans’ welfare and gradual reduction in reliance of the industry on government grant for growth.
The Cabinet also approved textiles ministry’s proposal to raise the cap on the subsidy prescribed in the scheme component acquisition of plant and machinery (capital subsidy) under the Jute Technology Mission.
The cap on subsidy under the scheme has now been enhanced to Rs 3.5 crore per mill for existing mills and Rs 4 crore per mill for new mills in the north-eastern region.
Moreover, the CCEA approved modifications in the guidelines of the Micro and Small Enterprises Cluster Development Programme.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure (CCI) today approved three port projects worth Rs 7,737 crore for developing infrastructure at the Jawaharlal Nehru and Visakhapatnam ports.
Registration of health care
The Cabinet today approved the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Bill, 2010, to provide a legislative framework for the registration and regulation of clinical establishments in the country and by prescribing minimum standards of facilities and services which may be provided by them.
After approval by Parliament, the law would come into effect in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Sikkim and all Union Territories.