India Post personnel to don khadi uniforms from February
The 90,000 postmen and postwomen of India Post will be donning new uniforms from February. This time, it will be chic outfits in khadi, officials said. All personnel will get Rs. 5,000 as uniform allowance. The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has already bagged a Rs. 48cr order for the uniforms. Thanks to the Modi government's push, the khadi industry has grown spectacularly.
India Post announces launch of redesigned uniforms on Twitter
How will the new uniforms look?
"Postmen will be given two pairs of shirts and trousers, each pair costing Rs. 1,600. The uniforms will be of 'khadi' fabric and in 'khaki'," said a statement from India Post. For women, it will be two pairs of salwar-kameez each, "designed with a chic look." Each pair will cost Rs. 1,700. The Department of Posts has intimated all postal circles about the change.
Deal a major win for the KVIC too
"It is really encouraging that the KVIC has bagged this prestigious order of approximately Rs. 48 crore from the Department of Posts to supply new uniforms for postmen and postwomen. This order will certainly increase the income of our artisans," said an official statement.
What is the government planning for the khadi industry?
The Modi government has taken steps to revive the struggling khadi industry. For the purpose, it has tied up with large chains. It has also worked towards making khadi a "global product identity of India"; several firms were asked to stop using the word "khadi" in their brands. The KVIC aims to increase sales to Rs. 5,000cr by 2018-19.
Modi lauds 89% rise in khadi sales in a year
PM Narendra Modi had said there was an 89% rise in khadi sales from April-September'16 to the same period in 2017, from Rs. 430cr to Rs. 814cr. In fact, sales grew 33% from Rs. 1,635cr in 2015-16 to Rs. 2,005cr in 2016-17.
