Khadi sales hit on Gandhi Jayanti due to Corona Pandemic

The Central and State Governments jointly announced a 30 percent discount on khadi every year before Gandhi Jayanti on 2nd October. But this time it is not being announced and as a result khadi purchases have hit 60 per cent this year.

Last year in 2019 on the day of Gandhi Jayanti, a sale of Rs 30 lakh was made and today it is estimated that only Rs 6 lakh is sold till the end of day.

Notably, the Center and state government have jointly announced 30 % discount in khadi from October 5 to October 31. However Khadi Bhandar gives 20% discount to people from their staff assistance fund so that khadi buyers could buy khadi for three days from the day of Gandhi Jayanti.

Jaswant Dalwadi, manager of the District Khadi Bhavan near Vadodara Kothi Char Rasta, said that the khadi business has also been badly affected by the global Corona pandemic. Every year 10 percent by the Central Government and 20 % by the State Government was given on Gandhi Jayanti.

But this time for some reason instead of announcing before Gandhi Jayanti, the discount has been announced from October 5 to October 31. However, on the day of Gandhi Jayanti, 20 per cent discount is being given to the customers from our Staff Assistance Fund so that the people get the benefit of compensation and also not affect our 42 employees and their families.

He further said that due to the Corona pandemic, non-announcement of discount before Gandhi Jayanti affected the sales of khadi which is 60 per cent lower this time. In 2019, on this day alone sales of Rs 30 lakh were made. While today’s sales are likely to be around Rs 6 lakh.

The crowd is also not there in compare to earlier occasions. Today, as per every year, leaders of various political parties including BJP and Congress have come to buy khadi.

District Khadi Bhavan Manager Jashwantbhai Dalwadi further added that like every year, 50 per cent stocks of khadi including wrinkle free and other items have been stocked this year as well. But, there are no customers against it. They are making every effort to sell as many items as possible, including khadi, to ensure that their employees and their families, as well as the small and large artisans involved in the khadi business, get their daily bread and do not affect anyone’s job. This time their target is to sell goods worth Rs 1.10 crore, including khadi.

Former chairman of district Khadi Bhuvan and former MLA C.M. Patel said, the global corona pandemic has affected the khadi business by about 70 per cent. The reason behind this is that timely compensation has not been announced by the government.

Even so, their goal is to sell as much khadi as possible. Last year they sold khadi and other items worth Rs 2.8 crore. Today is Gandhi Jayanti but there is no business as expected. But they make efforts to maximize sales of various items including khadi.