The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has cancelled ‘Khadi Certification’ to its oldest Khadi Institution – Mumbai Khadi and Village Industries Association (MKVIA), popularly known as ‘Khadi Emporium’, after it was found selling non-khadi products in the guise of genuine khadi.
 
During routine inspection, KVIC officials collected samples from the Khadi Emporium (located since 1954 at Metropolitan Insurance House, a heritage building on Dr DN Road) found to be non-Khadi products. Thereafter, KVIC issued a legal notice to MKVIA for flouting the norms of ‘Khadi Certificate’ and Khadi Mark Certificate issued by the Commission.

With cancellation of the registration now Khadi Emporium ceases to be a genuine Khadi outlet and is no longer permitted to sell Khadi products from the Emporium.

KVIC is also contemplating legal action against the MKVIA for criminal breach of trust and cheating the public at large by misusing the credibility and popularity of brand Khadi.

KVIC in recent years has adopted ‘zero-tolerance’ against the sale of spurious and non-Khadi products.

KVIC had in year 1954 handed over the operation and management of Khadi Emporium to MKVIA, a registered Khadi Institution on the strict condition that it would sell only Genuine Khadi Products from the emporium.

However, in recent years, it has been found that MKVIA has indulged in unfair trade practices by selling fake Khadi products and cheating people who have been under the impression that the Emporium was being run by KVIC.

KVIC in the last few years has acted tough against the misuse of its brand name ‘Khadi India’ and infringement into its trademark.

In several such cases, KVIC dragged violators to the courts and secured orders restraining them from misusing the brand name ‘Khadi’ after which a number of violators tendered apology and undertook not to use the brand name ‘Khadi’ in future.

KVIC has so far issued legal notices to over 1,200 individuals and firms including retail brand Fabindia for misusing the brand name ‘Khadi’ and selling non-Khadi products under the name of ‘Khadi’. KVIC has sought damages to the tune of Rs 500 crore from Fabindia which is pending before the Mumbai High Court.

Last year KVIC forced online shopping portals- Amazon, Flipkart and Snapdeal to take down 140 web links that were selling non-Khadi products as ‘Khadi’.