Agartala, Feb 5 (KNN) With the view to transform traditional Khadi industries to a modern industry, Union Government has decided to harness solar energy to power 'Charkhas' (spinning wheels) throughout the country to provide employment to approximately five crore people by the year 2022.

Union Minister of state for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Giriraj Singh said, "We have made a plan to introduce solar run spinning wheels in KVIC (Khadi and Village Industries Commission) so that it can provide employment to five crore people throughout the nation by the year 2022 adding that the Prime Minister has also said this in 'Maan Ki Baat'."

"I have discussed this with the Chairman of KVIC (Khadi and Village Industries Commission) and we shall work together so that the locals get employment and shall work on that," said the Minister during his visit to Tripura.

Girirraj Singh visited centres run by the KVIC and discussed with officials and board members ways to revive hand-spun khadi so that it could be turned into a zero-carbon footprint green fabric of India.

Solar charkhas will make khadi the green organic yarn which does not hurt the environment, create more jobs and make khadi competitive in terms of reducing the cost of yarn and production, he added.

Moreover, he added that there are more than 7000 showrooms of the KVIC which can be used for sell points of khadi products and to make them cost effective. (KNN Bureau)