Khadi
Khadi evokes a sense of Patriotism, Peace, and Simplicity among Indians as it is closely associated with India’s freedom movement. Khadi stands for Indian culture and represents a way of life as well as model for economic development of the Indian villages. Khadi fabrics are hand woven by using charkhas from cotton and silk yarn, which are hand spun. It is natural and durable in the tropical Indian climate as it provides a cool comfort.
Khadi Cotton and Polyvastra
Production of Khadi is a traditional activity of the Board. The production activity under the sector is entirely manual and thereby tremendous employment opportunities are created to rural artisans. Handspun yarn and weaving activities are mostly done by the women. This process involves spinning, weaving, bleaching, dyeing etc. Khadi cotton fabric is made from 100 percent cotton fibre.
With the advent of polyester in the market, the polyester yarn is blended with Cotton in the ratio of 67:33, respectively. At present, the following Khadi units are functioning:-
|
Sl.No. |
UNITS |
TOTAL |
|
1. |
Rural Textile Centre |
31 |
|
2. |
Khadi Sub Centre |
23 |
|
3. |
Khadi Silk Sub Centre |
8 |
In addition, 66 Sarvodhya Sanghs of Khadi and Village Industries Commission are undertaking Khadi production. These units engage artisans comprising mostly rural women which enable them to earn their livelihood. The Khadi cotton and Polyvastra products viz., Dhoties, Shirtings, Towels, Bed sheets, Bed spreads, Uniform cloth and other varieties are being manufactured.
In the Khadi units, 1,116 spinners and 224 weavers have been engaged in production of Khadi in the current year. There are 48 Khadi Krafts, which sell items produced by these units.
The details of sliver purchase from Khadi and Village Industries Commission and certified institutions, Cloth Production Value, number of spinners and weavers working and wages paid to spinners and weavers from the year 2018-2019 to 2020-2021 are given below:-
|
Year |
2018-2019 |
2019-2020 |
2020-2021 |
2021-2022 Upto July’2021 |
|
Total purchase of sliver |
1,29,493 |
54,727 |
3,780 |
10088 |
|
Value |
237.70 |
101.24 |
7.77 |
20.83 |
|
Cloth Production Value (Rs.in lakh) |
923.33 |
477.13 |
377.59 |
152.69 |
|
No.of Spinners working |
2,304 |
1,367 |
1,116 |
1025 |
|
Wages Paid to spinners (Rs.in lakh ) |
247.25 |
105.12 |
83.18 |
6.33 |
|
No.ofWeavers working |
407 |
311 |
224 |
194 |
|
Wages paid to weavers |
172.16 |
62.23 |
44.82 |
9.95 |
The details of production and sales made during the last three years of Khadi by the units of Khadi Board are given below:-
|
Sl.No |
Year |
Production |
Sales |
||
|
(Rs. In lakh) |
|||||
|
1. |
2018-2019 |
923.33 |
1,044.55 |
||
|
2. |
2019-2020 |
477.13 |
980.88 |
||
|
3. |
2020-2021 |
377.59 |
1297.29 |
||
|
4. |
2021-2022 (upto July’2021) |
116.70 |
170.23 |
||
Khadi Silk
The Board is involved in the ancient silk industry and producing Khadi Silk. Khadi Silk clothes are produced in 8 Silk Sub Centres which are functioning under the control of Tamil Nadu Khadi and Village Industries Board. Since, the Central Silk Board issues “Silk Mark” labels for the silk varieties produced by the Tamil Nadu Khadi and Village Industries Board, there is a good demand for these silk sarees.
The Board is providing employment opportunities for about 277 silk weavers in a year. The Silk varieties produced from these units are being sold out through 48 Khadi Krafts. The details of production and sales of Khadi Silk during the last three years are given below:
|
Sl.No. |
Year |
Production |
Sales |
|
(Rs. In lakh) |
|||
|
1. |
2018-2019 |
601.13 |
409.93 |
|
2. |
2019-2020 |
1,021.22 |
523.22 |
|
3. |
2020-2021 |
311.17 |
539.94 |
|
4. |
2021-2022 (upto July’2021) |
35.99 |
29.81 |
Welfare schemes for Khadi Spinners and Weavers
Khadi Spinners and Weavers Welfare Board
A Welfare Board for spinners and weavers has been set up for providing welfare assistance to spinners and weavers working under Khadi Board and Sarvodaya Sangh. For this purpose, the Government have provided Rs.50 lakh to the Board during the years 2010 – 2011 and 2011-2012. 8,678 members have been enrolled under the Welfare Board so far.
The various assistances given by the Welfare Board are furnished below:-
|
Sl. No. |
Nature of Assistance |
Amount (Rs.) |
|
|
1. |
Accident Insurance Scheme |
||
|
a. |
Accidental Death |
1,00,000 |
|
|
b. |
Accidental Disability based on extent of Disability |
10,000 to 1,00,000 |
|
|
2. |
Natural Death Assistance |
15,000 |
|
|
3. |
Funeral Expenses |
2,000 |
|
|
4. |
Educational Assistance |
||
|
a. |
Girl children studying 10th |
1,000 |
|
|
b. |
10th passed |
1,000 |
|
|
c. |
Girl children studying 11th |
1,000 |
|
|
d. |
Girl children studying 12th |
1,500 |
|
|
e. |
+2 passed |
1,500 |
|
|
f. |
Regular Degree course |
1,500 |
|
|
With hostel facility |
1,750 |
||
|
g. |
Regular Post Graduate course |
2,000 |
|
|
With hostel facility |
3,000 |
||
|
h. |
Professional Degree course |
2,000 |
|
|
With hostel facility |
4,000 |
||
|
i. |
Professional Post Graduate course |
4,000 |
|
|
With hostel facility |
6,000 |
||
|
j. |
I.T.I. Polytechnic Course |
1,000 |
|
|
With hostel facility |
1,200 |
||
|
5. |
Marriage Assistance |
2,000 |
|
|
6. |
Maternity Assistance |
||
|
a. |
Rs.1,000 per month (3 months before and after delivery) |
6,000 |
|
|
b. |
Abortion |
3,000 |
|
|
7. |
Reimbursement of cost of Spectacles |
upto 500 |
|
|
8. |
Old Age Pension per month |
1,000 |
|
A sum of Rs.67.97 Lakhs has been disbursed to 1,294 beneficiaries as financial assistance so far.
Covid Relief Fund
Considering the difficulties faced by the Khadi Spinners and Weavers during the Covid-19 Pandemic period, the Government disbursed relief fund of Rs.1,000/- each in two spells to 1617 spinners and weavers working in Khadi Board and 7061 spinners and weavers working in Sarvodaya Sanghs. The Government also disbursed 3rd spell of Covid relief fund of Rs.1000/- each to 74 spinners and weavers in Chennai, Kanchipuram, Tiruvallur and Chengalpet District for a total amount of Rs.174.30 lakh.
Welfare fund for the Spinners and Weavers
The Welfare fund for the Spinners and Weavers was started in 1990. The spinners and weavers contribute 12% of their wages to this fund and Board is also contributing a equal share. Based on their request and availability of funds in their account, financial assistance is being given to the spinners and weavers during festival season and for education, medical, marriage expenses. When they retire, the entire amount in their account at that time is refunded. In addition to the wages, 10% of the amount is also paid to the spinners and weavers by the Board as incentive. Under this scheme, a sum of Rs.33.49 lakh has been disbursed to 439 artisans during the year 2020-2021.