New Delhi, Jan 11 (KNN) Union Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Nitin Gadkari will be launching an innovative new paint developed by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) on January 12th at his residence.

The eco-friendly, non-toxic paint, called “Khadi Prakritik Paint” is a first-of-its-kind product, with anti- fungal, antibacterial properties. Based on cow dung as its main ingredient, the paint is cost-effective and odourless, and has been certified by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

Khadi Prakritik Distemper and Emulsion Paints have been tested at three reputed National Laboratories such as National Test House, Mumbai

Shri Ram Institute for Industrial Research, New Delhi and National Test House, Ghaziabad.

Khadi Prakritik Paint is available in two forms – distemper paint and plastic emulsion paint. Production of Khadi Prakritik Paint is aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision of increasing farmers’ income.

''The project was conceptualized by Chairman KVIC in March 2020, and later developed by Kumarappa National Handmade Paper Institute, Jaipur (a KVIC unit),'' the Ministry said on Monday.

The paint is free from heavy metals like lead, mercury, chromium, arsenic, cadmium and others. It will be a boost to local manufacturing and will create sustainable local employment through technology transfer.

''This technology will increase consumption of cow dung as a raw material for eco-friendly products and will generate additional revenue to farmers and gaushalas. This is estimated to generate additional income of Rs 30,000 (approx) per annum per animal to farmers/ gaushalas,'' it added.