Khadi and Village Industries Commission - Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

Mahesh Dhoundiyal - New Delhi

• On the birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi, KVIC gave a gift of happiness to lakhs of Khadi artisans across the country.

• Announcement of 25 percent increase in remuneration of spinners and 7 percent increase in remuneration of weavers from 2 October 2024.

• KVIC Chairman Shri Manoj Kumar said, "In line with the vision of Pujya Bapu, patriotism and welfare of artisans are the priorities of PM Narendra Modi."

• On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, special discounts launched on Khadi products across the country including the showroom located at Connaught Place, Delhi.

• Union Minister Shri JP Nadda, Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi and Minister of State Shri Shobha Kalandlaje shopped at the showroom located at Connaught Place, Delhi.

Shri Manoj Kumar, Chairman, Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, expanding Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's vision of poor welfare, announced a hike in wages for lakhs of Khadi artisans across the country. Wages of spinners spinning yarn on charkha have been hiked by 25% and those of weavers weaving on looms have been hiked by 7%. Along with this, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, a discount of 20% on Khadi products and 10% on Village Industries products was also introduced across the country including at the flagship 'Khadi Bhawan' at Connaught Place, New Delhi.

Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Shri J.P. Singh inaugurated the 'Khadi Bhawan' on the occasion of Pujya Bapu's Jayanti. Nadda, Union MSME Minister Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi, Union Minister of State for MSME and Labour & Employment Ms. Shobha Kalandlaje, KVIC Chairman Shri Manoj Kumar and many dignitaries, as per tradition, made purchases at Khadi Bhawan at Baba Kharak Singh Marg and inaugurated the special discounts on Khadi products on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. Union Minister Shri J.P. Nadda purchased Khadi kurta fabric and village industry products and made the payment through online mode. Addressing the media, he appealed to the countrymen to buy Khadi products. On this occasion, Union Minister MSME Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi also appealed to the people through media to adopt Khadi and Swadeshi products and become a part of the Atmanirbhar Abhiyan.

Addressing the media on this occasion, KVIC Chairman Shri Manoj Kumar said that Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi had said, “I see God in every thread that is pulled on the spinning wheel.” Adopting this motto of Pujya Bapu, KVIC is continuously weaving the fabric of poor welfare through 'Charkha Kranti'. In this sequence, on 17 September 2024, on the occasion of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's birthday, in a program organized at Pujya Bapu's birthplace Porbandar, a 25 percent increase in the remuneration of spinners spinning yarn on the spinning wheel and a 7 percent increase in the remuneration of weavers was announced. This increased remuneration has come into effect from 2 October 2024, the birthday of Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi. He further said that till now the spinners used to get a wage of Rs 10 per lace, which has been increased by Rs 2.50 to Rs 12.50. He further said that for the second time during his tenure, the remuneration of spinners and weavers has been increased. Earlier, on 1 April 2023, it was increased from Rs 7.50 to Rs 10 per lace.

KVIC Chairman Shri Manoj Kumar said that the 'Khadi Revolution' under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has brought about a big change in the lives of spinners and weavers. Khadi business has crossed Rs 1 lakh 55 thousand crore in the last financial year. In line with the vision of the Prime Minister, the Commission has decided to increase the remuneration to extend its benefits to the artisans of the Khadi family. He informed that there are about 3000 registered Khadi institutions across the country through which 4.98 Khadi artisans are getting employment, out of which about 80 percent are women. The increased remuneration will give them new economic strength. He further said that during the 10-year tenure of the Modi government, wages have been increased by around 213 per cent so far, which is a symbol of the fact that rural India is getting economically empowered through Khadi.

During the interaction with the media, Chairman KVIC said that on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, a special discount campaign has been started across the country including Khadi's flagship showroom located at Connaught Place, New Delhi. This discount will run from 2 October to 30 November 2024. During this period, 20 percent discount will be available on Khadi products and 10 percent on Village Industry products. He further said that after the appeal of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in the popular program 'Mann Ki Baat', Khadi Bhawan located at Connaught Place, Delhi has set a new record of sales every year on Gandhi Jayanti in the last 10 years. If we look at the sales figures of the last three years on Gandhi Jayanti, every year the sales on Gandhi Jayanti have crossed the figure of Rs 1 crore. While the sales of Khadi and Village Industry products was Rs 1.01 crore in the financial year 2021-22, it increased to Rs 1.34 crore in 2022-23, while in the financial year 2023-24 the sales figure crossed Rs 1.52 crore. All these figures are a symbol of the fact that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the 'New Khadi of New India' has become the leader of the 'Vocal for Local' and 'Made in India' campaign.