1. Being a department that reflects the essence of our pride, tell us about the journey of Assam Khadi & Village Industries Board. How the initiative of this department has changed the scenario of Khadi and other handloom industries in Assam?

The journey of Assam Khadi & Village Industries Board began in the year 1955 when the State Capital was Shillong. At that point of time, the State Assembly passed an Act under the name and style “ Assam Khadi & Village Industries Board Act, 1955 ( Assam Act XVI, 1955). Since then AKVIB has been handholding the marginalized communities of the State by providing them livelihood.

The Khadi and Village Industries Sector is known to be the second-largest sector providing employment post agriculture. The Khadi Board has been implementing schemes for the poor spinners and weavers. We have provided financial support to them in the form of wages. We at present have almost 1300 registered weavers in the State.

2. Various startups in the handloom sector are blooming all over India and we have a lot of skilled entrepreneurs with brainstorming ideas here in the Northeast region.  How is Assam Khadi and Village Industries Board helping in the capacity of building such startups?

The Assam Khadi and Village Industries Board has been primarily implementing one flagship scheme of the Government of India under the title ‘Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme’. Three agencies are implementing the specified scheme – Khadi & Village Industries Commission, AKVIB, and DIC. Under this scheme, the individual beneficiaries are funded up to Rs. 10 Lac and upto 35 % is offered as a subsidy. Thus, we are providing assistance to young and energetic youths to make them self-sufficient and generate self-employment.  This scheme has been very beneficial in supporting the startups of the region.

3. How has the AKVIB’s initiatives and implementations been able to bridge the gap between the rural and urban.

We at AKVIB aim at transforming the marginalized communities into economically sound communities through the various initiatives adopted.  We are implementing various schemes for the poor people of the State and thus emphasizing providing them with better quality of living. We have been initiating various programs to generate awareness regarding the schemes and avail the same. Thus, we are somehow successful in bridging the gap between the rural and the urban.

4. Tell us about the government schemes released for the Khadi Board. How are they being helpful?

The State Government has started one scheme named Production, Distribution of Khadi shirt and Eri Shawl / Stoles to the State Government for the Grade IV employees in the year 2020-2021 to be implemented through AKVIB. We have already taken steps for the successful implementation of this scheme. The registered weavers of AKVIB will get a chance to increase their production and strengthen their economic condition through this scheme.

5. The pandemic has affected the lives of many. Tell us about the post-pandemic situation. How did it affect your department and what measures did it take?

The pandemic has definitely affected our activities. However, throughout the pandemic, we have been delivering our best and now as the pandemic situation is in quite in control our new and ongoing schemes are rushing in the right direction. We are hopeful that in the coming years we will be able to fulfill and achieve our development index.

6. How can Khadi or other handloom textile become a reliable source of income for the people affected by the pandemic? Coming to employment generation, what factors does your department keep in mind?

As already stated, the schemes of Khadi and Village Industries are always income generating. With the help of the ongoing schemes and their implementations, the spinners and weavers can get substantial wages by working from their homes. It is very helpful in generating employment and thus income for sustainable livelihood and development. The unemployed and talented youth of our region can avail of the  Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme schemes and can start their own business, be it micro or medium industry without waiting for any job.  It helps potential individuals in showing them a better way to give proper shape to their creative ideas and be self-sufficient.

7. How ahead we are in terms of  Handloom & Textile comparatively with other northeastern states?

The State of Assam is traditionally rich in spinning and weaving. It has somehow been our identity and we are proud of it. We are trying our best to reach the global market in terms of handloom and textile. Hence, we can certainly say that Assam is well ahead in terms of handloom in comparison to the other Northeastern States.

8. Are there any Entrepreneurship skill development programme training related to Khadi or handloom and textile conducted by your department.

The Assam Khadi and Village Industries Board is running one Multi-Disciplinary Training Centre at Raha under Nagaon District. In this centre, skill development training programmes like weaving, tailoring, master cutter, beautician etc are undertaken each year. The interested individuals can reach us anytime for any queries.