In line with the suggestions of Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Shri Nitin Gadkari on December 17, 2019 while launching sale of ‘Khadi Rumal’ being stitched by militancy affected women of Jammu and Kashmir (at Nagrota near Jammu), Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has approved the enhancement of wages from Rs. 2 to Rs. 3 per piece w.e.f. 1st Jan 2020.
About Khadi Rumals
- Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Shri Nitin Gadkari had launched the sale of Khadi Rumal of Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) on December 17, 2019.
- Few years back, struggling to sustain their existence, families of militancy affected areas of Kashmir shifted to Nagrota, a small town near Jammu. In 2016, KVIC started a napkin stitching center in Nagrota, for the women impacted by the lack of livelihood opportunities and unemployment, to help them become self-dependent and sustain their families.
- This ‘Khadi Rumal’ is not just a piece of cloth, but a symbol of trust that the women in militancy affected areas residing in Nagrota.
- Each women artisan at Nagrota used to earn around Rs. 170 – Rs. 200 stitching 85-90 Khadi Rumals on an average working 4 hours per day. Now with revised wages, each woman will earn around Rs. 250 – Rs. 300 per day, thus increasing their income by around 50%.
- Since the launch on 17th December 2019, approximately 30,000 Khadi Rumals have been sold by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC). Nagrota a centre has been established by KVIC to provide employment to local women.
