In an important meeting of Khadi & Village Industries Commission (KVIC) at historic Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, THE KVIC has decided to increase the wage of spinners from existing Rs 5.50 per hank to Rs 7 per hank with effect from the new financial year.

“Recognising the importance of enhancing the wages of spinners (Khadi artisans) to a moderate level and in order to ensure that Khadi artisanal profession provides sustainable life support, the Commission decides to increase the remuneration. The new rates will come into effect from April 1, 2017,” said KVIC chairman VK Saxena.

The Commission also decides that to enforce this wage increase through all Khadi institutions alike and recommend withholding of Marketing Development Assistance (MDA) to the institutions which do not implement new wages for spinners. Such institutions may seek release of the suspended MDA, only upon certification to KVIC to the effect that the Decision to enhance wages per hank has been implemented, informed Saxena, while talking to The Pioneer.

The wages of spinners remained significantly low, in spite of the Commission’s decision to raise it in November 2016 from the then existing Rs 4 per hank to Rs 5.50 per hank, he said, adding that with the inflation hovering around 5 per cent and the drought conditions persisting in several parts of rural India, the low wages in effect have reduced the opportunities of self-reliance to Khadi artisans.

Recognising the emerging needs to increase Khadi production in the country and agreeing that one of the most effective ways of realizing this is to revive closed Khadi Institutions, the Commission has also decided to encourage State Directorates to work on the need expeditiously with competitive spirit.  The Commission has decided to appreciate these revival efforts of involved individuals on all appropriate platforms.  This decision came in wake of closing down of number of Khadi institutions resulting into loss of production as well as employment in rural areas.

“KVIC is now faced with an immediate requirement to increase Khadi production in the country. Owing to the vision of Prime Minister that the production needs to be increased from its current level of Rs 1,065 crore to Rs 5,000 crore in the next two years. In line with this vision, KVIC has formulated a programme called Khadi FOCUS, which is now under consideration at the Ministry,” said the KVIC chairman.

One of the ways of increasing production in the country is by reviving Khadi institutions, he said, adding that in order to implement this action on a war footing, it will be necessary to inculcate a competitive spirit among the State Directorates of Khadi and incentivise their good efforts.

Among other decisions, KVIC management has also come to conclusion to provide sale platform to prison made products in KVIC outlets to help individual transformation and life supporting skill development among inmates.

Ends