KVIC writes to UNHCR to use khadi in field ops, camps

The Khadi and Villages Industries Commission has written to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) to use the traditional handspun fabric in field operations and camps.

The letter was written on October 27, 2016. The objective was to provide support to thousands of khadi artisans producing cloth, blankets, carpets, and the like which could be distributed to refugee camps of the UNHCR.

"This move will not only provide convenience, comfort and health benefits to those who are displaced in alien lands, but in the same breath will support self-reliance and sustainable livelihood to millions of rural Indian artisans who live by this heritage profession of khadi," MSME Minister Kalraj Mishra said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

The KVIC, he said, will provide khadi products at a cost as per the UN agency's operational requirements. However, so far, no order has been received for khadi from the UNHCR.

To another query, Minister of State for MSME Giriraj Singh said in the Rajya Sabha that khadi sales increased by 32.83 per cent during 2016-17 to Rs 2,005.75 crore, as against Rs 1,510 crore in the previous fiscal.

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)