KNB News Desk
Srinagar 05 February (KNB): “Khadi Certification” to the oldest Khadi Institution – Mumbai Khadi & Village Industries Association (MKVIA), which was running the prestigious “Khadi Emporium” at Metropolitan Insurance House, was cancelled by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) against the sale of spurious/non-Khadi products, said an official communique.
It further said that the action came after KVIC found the Khadi Emporium at Dr D.N. Road in Mumbai, operational since 1954 was selling non-Khadi products in the guise of genuine Khadi.
“During routine inspection, KVIC officials collected samples from the Emporium that were found to be non-Khadi products. KVIC issued a legal notice to MKVIA for flouting the norms of “Khadi Certificate” and “Khadi Mark Certificate” issued by the Commission. With cancellation of the registration, Khadi Emporium ceases to be a genuine Khadi Outlet and is no longer permitted to sell Khadi products from the Emporium. KVIC is also contemplating legal action against the MKVIA for criminal breach of trust and cheating the public at large by misusing the credibility and popularity of brand Khadi,” said the communique.
KVIC had, in the year 1954, handed over the operation and management of Khadi Emporium to MKVIA, a registered Khadi Institution, on the strict condition that it would sell only “Genuine Khadi Products” from the emporium.
However, in recent years, MKVIA had indulged in unfair trade practices by selling fake Khadi products and thus cheating people who were under the impression that this Emporium was being run by KVIC, it added. (KNB)