Syllabus:
GS-3: Transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues related to constraints.
Context:
The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has achieved a historic milestone, surpassing a turnover of 1.7 lakh crore for the first time in independent India’s history.
The provisional data of Khadi and Village Industries for the financial year 2024-25
Overall Growth (2013–14 to 2024–25)
- Sales increased by nearly 5x (447%), from ₹31,154.19 crore to ₹1,70,551.37 crore.
- Production grew by almost 4x (347%), from ₹26,109.07 crore to ₹1,16,599.75 crore.
- Employment generation rose by 49.23%, from 1.30 crore to 1.94 crore jobs.
Khadi Sector Performance
Khadi Cloth Production:
- Increased from ₹811.08 crore in 2013–14 to ₹3,783.36 crore in 2024–25.
- Growth of 366% (about 4.5 times higher), marking the best performance to date.
Khadi Cloth Sales
- Rose from ₹1,081.04 crore in 2013–14 to ₹7,145.61 crore in 2024–25.
- Growth of 561%, nearly 6.5 times increase.
Business of Khadi and Village Industries Bhawan, New Delhi.
- Sales increased from ₹51.02 crore in 2013–14 to ₹110.01 crore in 2024–25.
- Growth of 115%, nearly doubling the business.
Role of key Government Initiatives on KVIC performance
Pradhan Mantri Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP)
- Over 10 lakh units established since launch in 2008.
- Margin money subsidy of ₹27,166.07 crore released against loans worth ₹73,348.39 crore.
- Over 90 lakh people have gained employment through the scheme.
KVIC’s Gramodyog Vikas Yojana
Under the scheme, 2,87,752 machines, toolkits, and equipment have been distributed to promote self-reliance.
Role of Women in the sector:
- As per the recorded data 57.45% of the 7.44 lakh individuals trained through KVIC training centers over the past decade were women.
- Additionally, 80% of the five lakh Khadi artisans are women.
- In recognition of their contribution, wages for Khadi artisans have increased by 275% over the past 11 years.
Mains Practice Q: Critically examine the role of KVIC in promoting sustainable rural development and employment generation. Also, discuss the challenges it faces in the current economic scenario.