Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution K.V.Thomas said on Saturday that the Union government was considering the proposal to bring the khadi sector employees under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. He was inaugurating the State-wide khadi fair for the Onam season at a function here.
The Minister said the government would provide additional sugar and rice to be distributed to the ration card-holders in Kerala during the Onam season. An additional quantity of 20,000 tonnes of rice has been released for the State. The Union government would allocate an additional quantity of 7,000 tonnes of sugar for distribution during the festival season. The government was considering the proposal to distribute sugar at the minimum support price through Consumerfed outlets. Edible oils would be distributed with a subsidy of Rs.15 per kg during the festival season.
Efforts under way
State Cooperation Minister C.N.Balakrishnan said efforts were under way to upgrade the weaving segment so as to improve production so that the workers would be benefited by way of higher emoluments.
K.P.Nooruddin, Khadi Board vice-chairman, said a rebate of 30 per cent would be extended for the purchase during the festival season. A gift scheme has also been introduced.
