The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has informed that certain unscrupulous business firms are manufacturing and selling personal protective equipment (PPE) kits, fraudulently using the Khadi India trademark logo.

“It has been learnt that the fake PPE kits are being sold under the impression of a Khadi product, which is totally incorrect and misleading,” a KVIC statement said on Monday.

” KVIC specifically uses double-twisted hand-spun, hand-woven Khadi fabric for its products and hence, the kits made of non-woven material like polyester and polypropylene are neither Khadi products nor KVIC approved products,” it added.

The KVIC further informed that it has developed its own PPE kit made of Khadi fabric which is at various levels of testing.

“So far we have not launched Khadi PPE kits in the market. Selling PPE kits fraudulently in the name of ‘Khadi India’ is illegal,” the statement added.

At the same time, they pose a grave risk to the safety of our doctors, diagnostic and paramedic staff who are dealing with cases of Corona disease on a routine basis,” the statement further said.

The KVIC was contemplating legal action against such fraudsters.

The fake PPE kits are manufactured by a Delhi-based company named ‘Nichia Corporation’ and they were brought to the notice of KVIC deputy CEO Satya Narayana.

Narayana later informed that KVIC has not launched any PPE kit or outsourced it to any private agency.

At present, KVIC is only manufacturing and distributing specially designed Khadi face masks that conform to the highest safety standards.

KVIC is using double-twisted Khadi fabric for manufacturing of these masks as it helps retain 70 per cent of the moisture content inside.

Further, these masks are made of hand-spun and hand-woven Khadi fabric which is breathable, washable and biodegradable.