Sale of fake Khadi brands reported in Kerala: P Jayarajan

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Khadi Board vice-chairman P Jayarajan raised concern over fake khadi products being available in the market. 

Even political leaders are purchasing fake khadi. The government has noticed the supply of fake khadi in the state. In 2021, the government earned Rs 160 cr from khadi sale. Out of this, only Rs 68 cr was raised from products of approved khadi firms. Khadi Emporium was popular for selling khadi clothes in Mumbai for 70 years. Recently, a firm called Khadi and Village Industries Commission was banned for selling fake khadi products. It is learnt that even national leaders had purchased khadi from this shop. A similar situation is reported in Kerala too. These fake khadi clothes are produced on weaving machines and sold at a low price, he added.

“If customers purchase khadi from approved centres, we can prevent fake khadi products from getting circulated,” said Jayarajan. 

Rs 10 cr granted by the government to khadi workers will be transferred to their bank accounts soon. Khadi outfits for children and women in the latest design will be launched in March. A new showroom will be opened at Vanchiyoor in Thiruvananthapuram. Along with this, Khadi products will be made available online. A total of 20,000 employment opportunities will be created. The board is also planning to launch a project to manufacture khadi using solar energy in Palakkad, Jayarajan said briefing the plans of Khadi Board.