A target of Rs. 170 lakh has been set for Deepavali sales for Khadi products in the district by the Khadi Village Industries Board.
District Collector S. Prabakar announced this on Friday while inaugurating Khadi sales on Gandhi Jayanthi day.
The board has been manufacturing bath and detergent soaps, footwear, honey, incense sticks, sandal garland, among others at its production centres at Modakurichi, Chithode, and Sathyamangalam.
The products are sold through four outlets.
Last year, cotton, silk, woollen and polyster varieties of khadi garments worth Rs. 130.39 lakh were sold, the Collector said.
Earlier, the Collector garlanded the statue of Mahatma Gandhi on the premises of the Erode Panchayat Union Office.
Revenue Divisional Officer Narmada Devi; tahsildar Mohana; panchayat union chairman Kannammal Muthusamy; Public Relations Officer C. Srinivasan; and Additional Director - Khadi K. Balamurugan; were present.
Officials said that making of khadi products from locally available materials were helping in strengthening village economy, and was providing employment to rural workforce, particularly poor women.
There were 10 centres where 136 women were employed, each earning Rs. 100 to Rs. 180 a day, for producing yarn used to make handloom items.
During 2014-15, Rs. 65.39 lakh worth khadi and polyster yarn were produced.
There were three weaving centres providing direct employment to 50 people and indirect work for 150 labourers.
Each had scope to earn Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 2,000 a week. The weavers were entitled to benefits accruing from 22 welfare schemes of the State Government, the officials said.
