MSME MoS Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma Discussed NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE SCHEME in Lok Sabha

Ministry of MSME, through the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), is implementing various schemes under the Khadi Vikas Yojana for the upliftment of Khadi artisans as follows:

1. 35% quantum of Modified Marketing Development Assistance (MMDA) is provided to artisans as an incentive in the case of KIs of Cotton, Woolen, and Polyvastra and 30% quantum of MMDA is provided as an incentive to KIs for silk.
2. Financial assistance is also provided under the Workshed Scheme for the construction of individual as well as group worksheds for the smooth and fatigue-free work environment.

Apart from the above, spinning wages of artisans will increase from Rs. 7.50/-per hank to Rs.10.00/-per hank and weaving wages for Cotton Khadi, Woollen Khadi and Polyvastra will increase by 10%, w.e.f. 01.04.2023.

KVIC purchases cotton from the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI). KVIC purchases and maintains sufficient raw material stock, including the purchase of additional quantity during the crop season of cotton i.e., September and October.

The government has not proposed to make the National Minimum Wage Scheme applicable to khadi workers as Khadi artisans are involved in Khadi activities as part-time work in which the wages is based on piece rate system depending on their production capacity. The minimum wages meant for Skilled/ Semi-skilled/ Unskilled labourers of agriculture and other segments are based on a time rate system for 8 hours which is not applicable to Khadi Sector.

As per the KVIC Act, ‘Khadi’ means any cloth woven on handlooms in India from cotton, silk or woollen yarn handspun in India or from a mixture of any two or all of such yarns, whereas for readymade garments, there are no such restrictions.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, Shri Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.