Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) Chairman, Manoj Kumar, has announced a significant 20% wage increase for Khadi artisans, effective from April 1, 2025. This decision will raise the payment for spinning one hank on the charkha from Rs. 12.50 to Rs. 15, marking a Rs. 2.50 rise per hank. Highlighting the achievements of the Khadi and Village Industries sector during the financial year 2024-25, the Chairman shared that the wages of Khadi artisans have seen a remarkable increase over the past few years.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Khadi sector has experienced transformative changes, with wages rising significantly. In 2023, the wage per hank was raised from Rs. 7.50 to Rs. 10, followed by another increase from Rs. 10 to Rs. 12.50 in September 2024, and now, a further hike to Rs. 15 per hank from April 2025. This continuous enhancement has resulted in a cumulative wage increase of 275% for Khadi artisans over the last 11 years.
In addition to the wage hike, Manoj Kumar spoke about the successful Khadi and Village Industries Exhibition held during the Maha Kumbh in 2025 at Prayagraj, which ran from January 14 to February 27. The exhibition saw record-breaking sales, with Khadi products worth Rs. 9.76 crore and Village Industry products amounting to Rs. 2.26 crore. In total, the exhibition generated an impressive Rs. 12.02 crore in sales, reflecting the growing popularity of Khadi and its products.
Kumar also highlighted the ongoing 'Khadi for Fashion' initiative launched by Prime Minister Modi during Bharat Tex-2025 at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi. This effort aims to modernize Khadi's image and appeal to younger generations by promoting it as a stylish and contemporary fabric. Recent fashion shows held in major cities such as Nagpur, Pune, Vadodara, Chennai, Jaipur, and Prayagraj have played a pivotal role in this initiative, garnering widespread attention and success.
In terms of financial growth, the sale of Khadi and Village Industry products has surged fivefold over the last decade, jumping from Rs. 31,000 crore to Rs. 1,55,000 crore in the 2023-24 financial year. The sale of Khadi clothing alone has increased sixfold, from Rs. 1,081 crore to Rs. 6,496 crore in the same period. Additionally, the sector created 10.17 lakh new jobs in 2023-24.
According to Kumar, the ongoing impact of the 'Khadi Revolution' under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership has not only boosted the Khadi sector but also empowered rural India economically, ensuring that Khadi is now viewed as both a symbol of tradition and a foundation for modern economic growth.
