Revival of Delhi khadi board on the cards: Sirsa

The meeting, chaired by Delhi’s Industry and Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, focused on 17 key revival issues, including artisan welfare, skill development and market linkage.

A major highlight of the meeting was the decision to establish a grand Emporio at Connaught Place in collaboration with the DSIIDC. The upcoming centre will serve as a one-stop platform to exhibit and sell nearly 650 Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged products from across India, offering a curated space for both Indian and global buyers.

“The previous government completely ignored this legacy as their priorities were misplaced. They would visit Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial every year to pay homage, yet forgot his dream of empowering Khadi,” said Sirsa.

“For four years, not a single board meeting of the DKVIB was held. Today, we’ve revived that lost tradition and are setting the foundation for its new journey.”

The Board also approved the appointment of legal consultants to draft a new DKVIB Act and Rules, aimed at strengthening its institutional and administrative structure. Sirsa added that the Delhi Government had allocated Rs 50 crore in the Budget to boost artisan training, skilling and marketing support through DKVIB initiatives.

“Our artisans have immense talent but lack the means and market access to sell what they create,” Sirsa said. “This Board will bridge that gap by helping artisans scale their work, access funding and directly connect to buyers.”

Officials informed that work has already begun to secure GI tags for three traditional Delhi-based products, a move aimed at preserving and promoting the city’s cultural identity.

Following the meeting, Sirsa inaugurated a special exhibition at the DKVIB headquarters in Kashmere Gate, featuring eco-friendly jute bags and handmade paper products crafted by local artisans. “I encourage citizens and traders to visit and support these locally made Swadeshi products,” he said.