New Delhi, Apr 13 (KNN) To meet country's demand for masks amid COVID-19 outbreak, Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC)  has developed double-layered khadi masks and also procured orders for supplying them in large numbers.

''KVIC has recently bagged an order to supply 7.5 lakh pieces of khadi masks to Jammu and Kashmir government alone in which 5 lakh masks will be supplied to Jammu district, one lakh forty thousand to Phulwama district, one lakh to Udhampur district and 10,000 to Kupwara district. These masks will be supplied to assist Development Commissioners of these districts by April 20,'' MSME Ministry has said in a statement.

"KVIC is specifically using double twisted khadi fabric for manufacturing of these masks as it helps retain 70 per cent of the moisture content inside, while providing an easy passage for the air to pass through, hence proving to be the best easily available, pocket-friendly alternative face masks," said VK Saxena, Chairman, KVIC.  

"These masks are more special because they are made of hand spun hand woven khadi fabric which is breathable, can easily be reused, washable and biodegradable,'' he added.

Currently, the khadi stitching center at Nagrotta near Jammu has been turned into a mask stitching center, which is producing 10,000 masks per day, while the rest of the orders are being distributed amongst various Self Help Groups (SHGs) and Khadi institutions in and around Srinagar.

Around 75,000 meters of khadi fabric will be used to make 7.5 lakh masks which in turn would help in the livelihood of khadi artisans, the release added.