Weavers in India's UP to get solar charkhas, khadi benefit

The Uttar Pradesh (UP) government in India plans to distribute 400 solar-powered charkhas, or spinning wheels, to registered yarn spinners to improve efficiency and raise their income.

The state will also be the first to recognised for its khadi cloth woven on solar charkhas. The scheme is set to roll out from October 2, said state khadi minister Satyadev Pachauri.

Solar charkhas are used in other states as well, but the cloth so produced is not considered khadi and weavers don’t receive government benefits.

Three hundred committees registered with the Khadi and Village Industries Board will receive the charkhas for spinners registered with them, a top Indian newspaper quoting the minister as saying.