Weavers urge PM Modi to extend deadline for getting 'Khadi mark'

Vadodara, Feb 23: The organising body of ongoing Khadi Gram Udyog Vikas exhibition here have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urged him to take necessary steps in extending the deadline to attain mandatory 'Khadi mark' certificate for weavers to participate in such exhibitions.

Organiser, Gram Vikas Sangh, a city-based cooperative body of khadi weavers, Ranjit Singh Chauhan said that as per directive of Commissionerate forfor Khadi and Village Industries (KVIC), it was made mandatory for weavers and exhibitors to get 'Khadi mark' on their products from Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and the last date for the same was December 31, 2014.

'Khadi mark' has been introduced by MSME, which ensures purity and genuineness of hand woven textiles, such as cotton, wool and silk.

In the exhibition, which will run from February 20- March 1, as many as 90 exhibitors have applied for the 'khadi mark' but since it is long process, they are yet to get it, Chauhan told PTI today.

Khadi mark has been introduced by MSME, which ensures purity and genuineness

"Hence, we have written to the Prime Minister that the date should be extended so that weavers get the benefit and shall not face any hurdles while participating in exhibitions in coming months. We have requested that date for getting 'khadi mark' certification be extended till March 31, 2015," he said.

He said that they have spent over Rs 4 lakh for organising the exhibition and hence, it will not be fair to bar weavers from displaying their products at exhibitions, just because they do not 'khadi mark' certification.

PTI