Kulhads to be reintroduced in the Railway Stations

The Union Minister for Railways Piyush Goyal has instructed the caterers at Varanasi and Rae Bareli stations to use terracotta-made kulhads, glasses and plates. The Kulhads are all set to make a comeback after they were first introduced during UPA 1, later to be brushed aside by plastic and paper cups.

Why there is a proposal to reintroduce Kulhads?

The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) had recommended the Railway Minister to re-introduce Kulhads in Varanasi and Rae Bareli to aid in generating employment.
Under the Kumhar Sashaktikaran Yojana of KVIC,  electric wheels were issued to potters in Varanasi and Rae Bareli. As a result, the productivity of potters was increased from 100 cups to around 600 cups a day. This generated a necessity to find a market for enhanced productivity.
This proposal to reintroduce Kulhads lakhs will result in a readymade market of potters.

Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC)

The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) is a statutory body established under the Khadi and Village Industries Commission Act of 1956. KVIC works under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises with an aim to plan, promote, facilitate, organise and assist in the establishment and development of khadi and village industries in the rural areas in coordination with other agencies engaged in rural development.

Month: Current Affairs - January, 2019