The thousands of Khadi Bhandar outlets across India may soon start selling ayurvedic and food products manufactured by an institute run by Baba Ramdev, a fellow traveller of the Bharatiya Janata Party who marshalled support for Narendra Modi during the general elections.
The Central government is currently seriously considering a proposal that would allow the yoga guru’s Haridwar-based Patanjali Yogpeeth to provide research and development support to the Khadi and Village Industries Commission. The move is likely to fructify after the budget session of Parliament, said officials in the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, the nodal ministry for the Khadi Commission.
Ramdev’s growing interest in the commission became better known in November, when a “team of experts” from the Patanjali Yogpeeth gave a presentation to the MSME ministry, highlighting the commission’s “failures” and offering ways to revive it.
Huge network
The commission was set up in 1957 with the objective of promoting employment opportunities in rural areas and to make village industries self-reliant by linking them with urban markets. It has more than 7,000 outlets across India.
Ramdev’s spokesperson S K Tijarawala confirmed that a team of Patanjali Yogpeeth had made a presentation for “salvaging” the Khadi Commission, but refused to reveal details. “We are having serious consultation with the ministry [MSME] on our proposal,” he told Scroll.in on Tuesday. “So far, no decision has been taken. I cannot say anything more.”
Ramdev had played a significant role in BJP’s success in the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year. He and his followers were instrumental in mobilising support for Narendra Modi, particularly in the rural parts of the country’s northern, central and western regions.
According to official sources, the process of linking the Khadi Commission with Patanjali Yogpeeth began on July 24, when the government dissolved the commission.
Employment generation
A statement issued on July 25 by the MSME ministry said: “This [dissolution] has been done to revamp the said institution to make it more professionally competent, effective and efficient body for the development and promotion of Khadi and Village Industries and for generation of more employment opportunities in the rural non-farm sector.”
About five months have passed and the Khadi Commission is yet to be reconstituted.
Meanwhile, Modi has been seen promoting the cause of khadi. While making his first mann ke baat radio address to the nation on October 3, the prime minister exhorted people to use products being sold at khadi outlets, saying that it would benefit the poor.
Officials in the MSME ministry fear that in the guise of reviving the Khadi Commission, Ramdev is trying to gain control of its stores, which he may use to retailing his products.
The Central government is currently seriously considering a proposal that would allow the yoga guru’s Haridwar-based Patanjali Yogpeeth to provide research and development support to the Khadi and Village Industries Commission. The move is likely to fructify after the budget session of Parliament, said officials in the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, the nodal ministry for the Khadi Commission.
Ramdev’s growing interest in the commission became better known in November, when a “team of experts” from the Patanjali Yogpeeth gave a presentation to the MSME ministry, highlighting the commission’s “failures” and offering ways to revive it.
Huge network
The commission was set up in 1957 with the objective of promoting employment opportunities in rural areas and to make village industries self-reliant by linking them with urban markets. It has more than 7,000 outlets across India.
Ramdev’s spokesperson S K Tijarawala confirmed that a team of Patanjali Yogpeeth had made a presentation for “salvaging” the Khadi Commission, but refused to reveal details. “We are having serious consultation with the ministry [MSME] on our proposal,” he told Scroll.in on Tuesday. “So far, no decision has been taken. I cannot say anything more.”
Ramdev had played a significant role in BJP’s success in the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year. He and his followers were instrumental in mobilising support for Narendra Modi, particularly in the rural parts of the country’s northern, central and western regions.
According to official sources, the process of linking the Khadi Commission with Patanjali Yogpeeth began on July 24, when the government dissolved the commission.
Employment generation
A statement issued on July 25 by the MSME ministry said: “This [dissolution] has been done to revamp the said institution to make it more professionally competent, effective and efficient body for the development and promotion of Khadi and Village Industries and for generation of more employment opportunities in the rural non-farm sector.”
About five months have passed and the Khadi Commission is yet to be reconstituted.
Meanwhile, Modi has been seen promoting the cause of khadi. While making his first mann ke baat radio address to the nation on October 3, the prime minister exhorted people to use products being sold at khadi outlets, saying that it would benefit the poor.
Officials in the MSME ministry fear that in the guise of reviving the Khadi Commission, Ramdev is trying to gain control of its stores, which he may use to retailing his products.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!