The wages of Khadi artisans are set to go up by more than 100 per cent, with the Khadi & Village Industries Commission (KVIC) approving the wage hike as well as Market Development Assistance (MDA) for them.
“The wages of artisans have been raised from Rs 90 to Rs 190 per day. The wages come into effect from April 1, 2016. All state and divisional offices have been directed to implement the recommendations,” an official release said.
The KVIC has hiked wages of spinners from Rs 4 per hank to Rs 5.50 per hank with an additional 10 per cent of MDA which would add to the wages, a rise by 37.5 per cent.
“Earlier the spinners were getting Rs 100 per day considering they spin 25 hanks per day. Now earnings will be Rs 138 plus 10 per cent MDA on it i.e., Rs 152 per day. The rates had been stagnant from April 1, 2014,” the release said.
The wage hike for artisans comes in the wake of a special mention made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech at the Red Fort on Monday last.
Apart from an increase in wages per hank, the KVIC has also decided to levy amount Rs 50 on certain high value products to augment the earnings of artisans which will be remitted by the Departmental Sales Outlets (DSOs) straight to artisans’ bank accounts on a monthly basis.
“For instance, the extra amount collected from the sale price on certain high value products such as muslin, silk and Pashmina etc. sold from DSOs of KVIC will be remitted by the DSOs straight to an artisan’s bank account on a monthly basis through the institution where he or she is employed,” the release said.