Kerala - Kozhikode   

Delay in announcing rebate worries khadi artisans

By Our Special Correspondent

KOZHIKODE, JULY 31 . It is going to be a gloomy Onam for the State's khadi artisans unless the Khadi Village Industries Commission (KVIC) announces its special rebate for their products for the festive season without further delay.

Since Onam falls on August 27, the announcement of special rebate has to be made immediately if the demand for khadi products during the festival season is to be fully exploited.

Rebate

Till last year khadi products attracted Onam shoppers in large numbers since these were sold at 30 per cent rebate, which included the 10 per cent KVIC special rebate for festival season.

Khadi sales peak during the Onam season. Mr. E. Sadanandan, secretary of the Kozhikode Sarvodaya Sangham, says nearly 70 per cent of the total annual sale takes place during the Onam season.

Major incentive

One major incentive for customers to buy khadi goods during Onam season has been the 30 per cent rebate. This was made possible by the joint effort of the Khadi and Village Industries Board, and the KVIC. Besides the 10 per cent subsidy extended by each agency throughout the year, KVIC also released a similar volume of rebate during Onam season.

As a result, khadi products enjoyed a rebate of 20 per cent throughout the year except during Onam season when the rebate would be 30 per cent.

However, this year, for nearly four months there has been only a 10 per cent rebate of State Khadi and Village Industries Board. KVIC's 10 per cent rebate was withdrawn on April 1, this year and replaced with market development assistance (MPA) from July 1.

Most khadi units run by Sarvodaya Sanghams in Kozhikode, Kannur, Thiruvananthapuram and Alapuzha had argued in favour of restoration of rebate system. Following this demand the KVIC reintroduced the rebate system on July 15. However the volume of rebate and the date from which it is to be made available have not yet been announced. Khadi units had planned to announce sale at 30 per cent rebate from August 2. Although the KVIC authorities have agreed to continue the special rebate, the commission is yet to announce it.

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