The State labour, Khadi and Gramudyog minister Harish Chandra Durgapa has accorded approval in principle to 10 per cent additional rebate on Khadi.
He said that on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, 40 per cent rebate on Khadi will be provided for 108 days on items sold at Gandhi Ashrams.
The minister made this announcement after paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and lal Bahadur Shastri on their birth anniversaries at the Gandhi Ashram in Paltan Bazaar on Wednesday.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Durgapal said that Gandhi’s role in the Indian freedom struggle cannot be forgotten.
Recalling his encouragement to Khadi and all things Swadesi, Durgapal said agreed in principle to 10 per cent additional rebate on Khadi in Uttarakhand.
He informed that a proposal had been sent to the Chief Minister for removing VAT on Khadi clothes and that this proposal is expected to be cleared soon.
He exhorted the youth to use Khadi as it also signifies various things including self reliance and social egalitarianism among other aspects.
Addressing the Gandhi Ashram workers, he stressed on the need for encouraging the marketing and quality of Khadi products to suit the present times.
Advisor to the CM, Sl Mandrawal recalled that during the Swadeshi movement about 80 lakh spinning wheels (charkhas) were being used in India. Using the spinning wheel meant self reliance and employment at that time.
Proposing the vote of thanks, the Gandhi Ashram secretary Indrasan Yadav said that the Khadi business is consistently increasing but needs more publicity even though the use of Khadi is increasing among the general public.