An agreement between Khadi Village Industry Commission (KVIC) and public sector undertaking (PSU) ONGC benefitted Khadi artisans as due to coupons given to ONGC employees, sale of Gujarat-based Khadi institutions touched Rs17 crores.
Of over 35,000 employees of the Central PSU, more than 11,000 are working in Gujarat’s different cities. For these employees, exhibitions cum sale were organised in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Ankleshwar and Hazira. ONGC employees used coupons to buy Khadi products.
It is worth mentioning that ONGC usually distributes bonuses and gifts to its employees in the form of cash, recognising their services to the nation and rewarding their hard work. Following the agreement, this year the ONGC staff was given Khadi coupons valuing higher than their cash bonus.
“Under the scheme, the ONGC has provided Khadi vouchers worth Rs10,000 each to its regular employees and Rs5,000 each to its non-regular employees. The KVIC has allowed an additional 35 per cent incentive on these vouchers, thus enhancing the value of ONGC bonus to 135 per cent of its cash value for its staff. These Khadi vouchers can be used by ONGC staff over a period of 2 months,” said VK Saxena, Chairman of KVIC.
ONGC has over 35,000 regular and non-regular employees As a result, KVIC will get Rs35 crore payment from ONGC due to this initiative. Considering 35 per cent additional value, the total sale of KVIC products will be more than Rs50 crores over a period of two months.
KVIC provided best quality Khadi products through 16 special exhibitions within the ONGC premises, so that the ONGC employees would get the products at their doorsteps. KVIC has also decided that the local Khadi Institutions of the relevant area will be roped in to showcase their best products in these exhibitions, thereby spreading the benefits to local artisans.