KVIC’s sends legal notices to three firms for using ‘Khadi India’ logo

By

Maverick Martins

Published
May 13, 2020

The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), the official body for Khadi India, has issued legal notices to three firms for allegedly using its brand name and registered trademark to sell personal protective equipment (PPE).
 

KVIC has sent the notices to Delhi-based firms Nachia Corporations, Pest Cure Incorporation, and Ved Prakash Mithal and Sons. It has asked these companies to pay Rs 50 crore each for using its brand name and logo without its permission.
 
The KVIC has further asked them to stop the usage of Khadi India on all its products with immediate effect.

Commenting on the issue, KVIC chairman, Vinai Kumar Saxena said: "This is a serious violation. No individual or firm will be allowed to misuse the brand name of Khadi. Even in the past, we have taken strict legal action against violators, including some big companies."
 
KVIC had earlier issued a statement which said that it has not launched any PPE kit or outsourced it to any private agency. Selling PPE kits fraudulently in the name of 'Khadi India' is illegal, as they pose a grave risk to the safety of our doctors, diagnostic and paramedic staff who are dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.
 
Despite the stern warning, the above companies continued to sell PPE kits using the khadi logo forcing KVIC to take legal action. The notice allows these companies seven days to reply, before initiation of the legal action.