Lok Sabha Question No. 2288 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-03
Subject: Promotion of Solar Charkha
Ministry: MICRO,SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Asked by: SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE, VIJAYSINH MOHITE PATIL, T. RADHAKRISHNAN, HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT, RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV, DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL  MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2288**

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.08.2015

PROMOTION OF SOLAR CHARKHA

2288.     	 SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

SHRI MOHITE PATIL VIJAYSINH SHANKARRAO:

SHRI T. RADHAKRISHNAN:

DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT:

SHRI SATAV RAJEEV:

SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK:

Will the Minister of MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:

(a) 	whether the Government proposes to promote the use of Solar Charkha by replacing the conventional Ambar Charkha for Khadi production in the country;

(b)	 if so, the details thereof and the objective behind the move;

(c) 	whether the Government also plans to promote Khadi by adopting user friendly fashion designing and if so, the details thereof;

(d)	 whether the Government proposes to coordinate with National Institute of Fashion Technology in this regard and if so, the details thereof; and

(e)	 the other steps taken/being taken by the Government to bring in technological changes to boost Khadi production in the country?

**ANSWER**

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF

MICRO, SMALL  MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

(SHRI GIRIRAJ SINGH)

(a)&(b):	 According to KVIC Act,1956, ‘Khadi’ means any cloth woven on handlooms in India from cotton, silk or woollen yarn hand-spun in India or from a mixture of any two or all such yarns. The uniqueness of Khadi is derived from the fact that its production does not involve use of power.

In order to generate large employment opportunities through decentralised spinning activities, KVIC has sanctioned a Pilot Production Project through Solar Charkha spinning under its Village Industries Textile Programme.  The objective of the Pilot Project is not to replace the Amber Charkha Spinning but to produce yarn through decentralised process of spinning which aims to meet the additional demand that may arise for production of textile fabric in the country.

The cloth produced by Solar Charkha will not be “Khadi” in nature in terms of the definition of “Khadi” as per the KVIC Act, but it would be an eco-friendly and green fabric, which could be marketed as “a fabric with Zero effect on the environment” both in the domestic and international markets.

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(c)&(d):	 The market of Khadi and allied product range had been restricted to a very limited market segment. In order to bring Khadi to the forefront of the Fashion industry and make it youth-centric, KVIC has initiated special effort in projecting the comfort factor of Khadi which will appeal to all customers particularly teenagers and youth.  In this endeavour, KVIC has involved professional fashion designers not only from National Institute of Fashion Technology but also other Institutions with special focus on user-friendly design as per latest fashion trends. KVIC has launched Denim Jeans, Jackets, Skirts, T-shirts, Tops for youth segment and put them up for sale through the Departmental outlets and outlets of Khadi Institutions.

Khadi Darshan events which comprise Fashion Shows, Exhibitions and Design cum Slogan contest are also being conducted to popularise Khadi.  Designer contest for Khadi Garments are also being conducted to promote better designs for catering to youth.

5. In order to boost Khadi production,  KVIC is making  continuous efforts to upgrade the technology bringing in changes to improve productivity. The existing 08 spindle Amber Charkha was developed with the technological inputs from various Khadi Institutions and premier Technical Institutes such as IIT, Indo German Tool etc. KVIC has assigned projects to develop improved charkha having more spindles which run at a higher speed thereby higher productivity and higher income for the artisans.  The project also aims at improving quality, packaging and portability of the tool and implements.

In order to enhance the aesthetic properties of Khadi particularly towards usage, KVIC in collaboration with IIT, Delhi and MGIRI, Wardha is developing soft and stiff finish on Khadi.  The technique has been disseminated to the field by conducting workshop at Tirupur (Tamil Nadu), Dharwad (Karnataka), Rajkot (Gujarat), Dausa (Rajasthan) and Trissur (Kerala).

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