**Executive Summary**
This document addresses Unstarred Question No. 3090, regarding the appointment of a permanent chairman to the Coir Board. The question, posed by Shri Hibi Eden, was answered by the Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises on December 18, 2025, stating that the government remains committed to ensure stability in leadership and effective functioning of the Coir Board for growth and development of the Coir industry.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Question:** The Minister of MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES was asked to state whether the Government is aware that the Coir Board has been functioning without a Board & permanent Chairman, Secretary and other senior officials for a considerable period.
* **Response:** The Coir Board is a Statutory Body established under Coir Industry Act, 1953 for the promotion, growth and sustainable development of the Coir sector.
* **Leadership Continuity:** The Government has ensured continuity in the leadership and functioning of the Coir Board by appointing a Chairman, who has been discharging due functions.
* **Growth in the Coir Sector:** The coir sector has shown continued growth in production, exports, and employment.
* Annual exports increased from Rs. 1,630.33 crore (2014-15) to Rs. 4,343.45 crore (2024-25).
* Annual production increased from 5.42 lakh MT to 8.01 lakh MT during the same period.
* **Coir Board Development:** More than 90 new machines, technologies, and coir value-added products were developed and disseminated to entrepreneurs, units, and artisans in the last five years.
* **Government Commitment:** The Government remains committed to ensuring stability in leadership and effective functioning of the Coir Board.
**Impact Analysis**
**Coir Board/Government**
* **Impact:** Addressed concerns about leadership and operational effectiveness of the Coir Board. Assured stability in the leadership of the Coir Board.
* **Action Required:** Continue supporting the Coir Board with leadership and resources for growth and development.
**Coir Entrepreneurs, Units, and Artisans**
* **Impact:** Benefits from Coir Board initiatives, including new technologies, value-added products, and enhanced employment opportunities.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the new technologies and resources provided by the Coir Board to increase productivity and profitability.
**Coir Industry/Sector**
* **Impact:** Benefits from leadership continuity in the Coir Board and the government's commitment to growth and development.
* **Action Required:** Continue to leverage opportunities for growth and expansion in production, exports, and employment.
Key Entities Referenced
Coir Board: Statutory body responsible for the promotion and development of the Coir industry.
Coir Industry Act, 1953: Act under which the Coir Board was established.
MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES: The ministry responsible for the Coir Board.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3090
TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.12.2025
APPOINTMENT OF A PERMANENT CHAIRMAN TO THE COIR BOARD
3090. SHRI HIBI EDEN:
Will the Minister of MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that the Coir Board has been functioning without a
Board & permanent Chairman, Secretary and other senior officials for a considerable period, if
so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government has examined the impact of this leadership vacuum on the
functioning of the Coir Board and the overall performance of the Coir industry, if so, the details
thereof;
(c) whether the absence of a permanent Chairman has affected timely decision-making,
implementation of schemes and the Board’s ability to support and promote the Coir sector, if so,
the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government has taken note of the steady decline in the Coir industry, which
has historically been an important source of rural employment and export earnings, if so, the
details thereof; and
(e) the steps being taken by the Government to urgently appoint a permanent Chairman to the
Coir Board and restore strong and stable leadership to revive the industry?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
(SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)
(a) to (e): The Coir Board is a Statutory Body established under Coir Industry Act, 1953 for the
promotion, growth and sustainable development of the Coir sector. The Government has ensured
continuity in the leadership and functioning of the Coir Board by appointing a Chairman,duly
approved by competent authority,who has been dischargingall due functions. There has been
steady rise in the performance of Coir Board in recent past. As per available data, the coir sector
has shown continued growth in production, exports and employment. The annual exports of coir and
coir products increased from Rs. 1,630.33 crore during 2014–15 to Rs. 4,343.45 crore during 2024–
25, while the annual production of coir rose from 5.42 lakh MT to 8.01 lakh MT during the same
period, leading to enhanced employment opportunities in the coir sector. Coir Board has also
developed more than 90 new machines, technologies and coir value added products and
disseminated to coir entrepreneurs, units, and artisans during last five years for the growth of Coir
industry.
The Government remains committed to ensurestability in leadership and effective
functioning of the Coir Board for growth and development of Coir industry.
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