KOTTAYAM: The Kerala Khadi and Village Industries Board is focussing on a big leap in the area of khadi silk production in the State, vice-chairman T. Govindan said.

Talking to mediapersons here, Mr. Govindan said while the khadi silk market in Kerala was estimated at Rs. 6 crore, the indigenous total production was enough to meet only five per cent of this quantum. Hence, there was scope for the high-end product in the State. At present, khadi silk was being produced only in units situated in Payyannur, Kozhikode, Palakkad and Thiruvananthapuram.

Mr. Govindan said the Khadi Board would extend support to the modernisation programme in the sector, which will enable the khadi units to cater to the changing demand and fashion needs of the younger generation.

At present, Kerala accounted for sales of Rs. 25-crore worth certified khadi textile, while the production was only of Rs. 12 crore. The new strategies of the Board will be based on this basic reality, he said. Mr Govindan asked local bodies to play a more active role in the revival of khadi sector.

He also stressed the need to revise the remuneration of the workers in the khadi sector. To effect the change, the Khadi Commission would have to make certain basic changes in its cost chart. However, the Board would strive towards effecting this revision, he said.

The Board has set a target of opening 50,000 new khadi units during the next five years.

As per the plan, every panchayat will get 10 khadi units each every year for the next five years. The board also would focus on bee-keeping as a major source of income for the poorer sections of society.

Special projects would be evolved and implemented as part of the golden jubilee celebrations of the Board in 2007, Mr. Govindan said.

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