The Khadi & Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has bagged orders worth crores from hospitals, research institutions, railways and companies. The orders are for silk jackets, bed sheets, dressing towels, surgical gowns, kurta pajamas, doctor’s coats, soaps, hand sanitizers, khadi phenyl and herbal shampoo.
Last year, the sale of khadi products was at Rs 1,510 crore and is projected to grow 35 per cent in the current financial year. Sales have boomed over the last few years. KVIC is also setting up export cells to promote overseas sales of the products, which have a good demand in countries like the US and UK. A beginning will be made with direct exports. The aim is to make khadi an international brand.
KVIC is taking several initiatives to increase the sale of khadi, which today stands under one per cent among total textile sales in the country. For 2016-17, KVIC expects to achieve a turnover between Rs 1900 crore to Rs 2000 crore. The target is to achieve Rs 5000 crore in two years.
Five khadi villages will be set up in every state to make rural populations self reliant and prevent their migration into cities. Interested villagers will be given spinning wheels, looms and other equipment required to set up small scale industries such as candles, incense sticks, honeybee cultivation, bakeries etc.