Indian Railways’ Boost To Traditional Artisan Economy: To Procure Linen From Khadi and Village Industries Commission

Railways Board, in a move that could immensely benefit artisans, has issued instructions to all its zones to procure linen item from Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), reports Indian Express.

This instruction comes days after the railways had ordered caterers at Varanasi and Raebareli to procure terracotta kulhads, glasses and plates from the artisans for serving items to passengers at these two railway stations.

The Railway Board in the order issued on 17 January, said that for the procurement of the linen items - two bedsheets, pillow cover and face towel, the priority should be given to KVIC and then to Association of Corporations & Apex Societies of Handlooms (ACASH).

The order stated that the zonal railways should approach the open market only if these two bodies failed to meet the requirements.

"Railways would not only give more works to the artisans associated with Khadi and Village Industries activities, but it would also pave way for the KVIC for more convergence with different ministries and public sector units,” KVIC chairman Vinay Kumar Saxena was quoted in the report as saying.

Saxena thanked the railway ministry for the move, and said it will create more employment and raise income of the artisans.

As per the report, the railways had, in January 2016, given the order of Rs 40 crore to the to the KVIC for six lakh bedsheets and eight lakh pillow covers. With these orders, the immediate supply order of Rs 25 crores before March 31 this year will be generated and from next year onwards KVIC will get orders worth Rs 100 crore, said Saxena.