Home Minister directs paramilitary forces to use Khadi products
New Delhi: In a historic move and a major boost to the Khadi and Village Industries products manufactured by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), and crafted by rural artisans from across India, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, recently directed Director Generals (DG's) of all paramilitary forces to use Khadi fabric in their uniforms and village industries products such as pickles, papad, honey, soaps and detergents, shampoos, phenol, tea, mustard oil etc, in their canteens.
The move comes after several meetings were held between the authorities of KVIC and paramilitary forces. Sources said that the meetings had been going on for the last two weeks now and have reached the stage of finalisation, after several samples were shared by KVIC for approval.
The KVIC Chairman informed that the samples of cotton and woollen uniforms, blankets and camouflage uniform, provided by the paramilitary forces have been developed by KVIC and have been given to few forces for final approval.
Notably, the sample developed for camouflage fabric was not only liked by one of the paramilitary forces but was also found quite superior from
the existing material used by the forces.
Enthused with the recent instructions given by the Home Minister, KVIC Chairman V K Saxena said, "This move will not only double the khadi and village industries turnover which is nearly Rs 75,000 crore currently but also create millions of additional man-hours for the khadi artisans who will weave millions of metres of khadi fabric for our paramilitary forces. The Home Minister's instruction reflects PM Narendra Modi-led government's vision and
commitment for the makeover of this signature fabric of the nation."
Saxena further informed, "As the Home Minister has also asked the forces to keep different village industries' products in all their canteens, it will certainly create faith and confidence among the artisans, as their niche products will now be showcased before the real guards of our nation."
