CHANDIGARH: Giving an impetus to the use of indigenous items, the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) will be using khadi durries (rugs) manufactured by the cottage industry.
The Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP) will be procuring 1,71,520 cotton khadi durries for use by all CAPF that functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The value of the order is about Rs 8.5 crore.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in this regard has been signed with the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) by the ITBP.
ITBP is the first force among the CAPFs to procure supplies from the KVIC. Earlier, the ITBP had signed an agreement with the KVIC in July for the supply of 1,200 quintals of mustard oil to the ITBP with a total financial implication of Rs 1.74 crore.
It was decided during a meeting of the Directors General of CAPFs held at the Ministry of Home Affairs in October 2019 that use of terry-khadi uniform and other items of swadeshi origin should be made available to the CAPFs.
During the visit of the Home Minister to the ITBP Force Headquarters in New Delhi last month, an exhibition stall was prepared to exhibit the KVIC products suitable for use by CAPFs.
The ITBP had suggested that durrie, blankets, towel, mustard oil, yoga kit, hospital bedsheets, pickles, etc. can be purchased for jawans through KVIC. Many such items will be procured from the KVIC for promoting the local products in the CAPFs.
The process of procuring khadi bedsheets and pillow covers from KVIC for all CAPF hospitals is also underway, and it is expected that it will be procured in this financial year itself.