Air India gives `8-crore Khadi order, to create 4.4 lakh man-hour jobs

 In a major move which may give a fillip to the initiatives of the Khadi & Village Industries Commission (KVIC), Air India has placed its second order of worth Rs 8 crore to the commission. The order has been placed for the supply of 1,85,000 units of amenity kits. 

Earlier in December 2015, the national carrier had placed a trial order worth Rs 1.21 crore to KVIC for the supply of 25,000 units of amenity kits which was successfully supplied by KVIC in a record time of 40 days. The amenity kits, which are given by AI to its First and Business class International passengers, include ‘khadi’ hand sanitizer, moisturizer lotion, lemongrass, handmade soap, lip balm, rose face wash and essential oils.

Commenting on the development, KVIC Chairman V K Saxena said, “The Commission will supply 1,85,000 kits in record four months time to Air India in which 6,000 kits are for First Class passengers and 1,79,000 kits are for Business Class passengers. This order will generate more than 4,40,000 man hours which will be a boost to the workers.”

Saxena further added that following an appeal made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi through ‘Man Ki Baat’ for purchasing at least one product of Khadi and support the rural artisans, there have been tremendous encouraging response in sale of khadi and more and more people are buying the product, especially youths and teenagers.

“In the year 2015-16 the sale of khadi products has gone up to Rs 1,510 crore, making a whopping 29 per cent increase from Rs 1,170 crore during 2014-15,” the chairman said.

In the recent days, KVIC has also taken many marketing initiatives including organising summer collection, Khadi Utsav in colleges and universities, designer wear by Ritu Beri, introduction of khadi denim, jeans, jackets, t-shirts and skirts etc.

Saxena also informed that a new Khadi India outlet has been opened in Mumbai last week in Andheri West. Four outlets such as one at Vishakhapatnam Airport, and one each at Lucknow, Jaipur and Chennai will be opened shortly and 12 new franchises outlet would come up in other cities, he said.