There has been a considerable decline in khadi production, sales and employment figures in Gujarat, the land of Mahatma Gandhi.
In 2010-11, Rs. 250.6 million worth of khadi was produced by khadi and village industries in Gujarat compared to production of khadi worth Rs. 264.7 million recorded in 2009-10, according to “Socio-Economic Review, Gujarat, 2011-12”, recently released by the state government.
Similarly, there was a drop in khadi sales from Rs. 361.5 million in 2009-10 to Rs. 345.4 million in 2010-11, a decline of nearly 4.5 percent, according to the statistics.
The publication also states that the number of people employed in the khadi industry in the state decreased from 12,136 to 8,883 during the one-year period.
In Gujarat, the Gujarat Khadi Gramodyog Board implements various programmes and schemes for promotion of khadi and village industries in the state. It also imparts training to rural artisans and craftsmen in khadi weaving.