Overview
- Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh issued a circular asking officers and employees to voluntarily wear khadi on the first Saturday of every month and during official programmes, including Independence Day and Republic Day.
- The advisory covers all state departments, aided institutions, corporations, boards, autonomous bodies, universities, and government-owned organisations across Karnataka.
- Employees are directed to buy garments from government-run Khadi and Village Industries Board outlets, where an additional 5% discount will be available to staff.
- Suggested attire includes khadi shirts, trousers and overcoats for men, and khadi or khadi silk saris, churidars and other formal outfits for women, with the order linking to a list of 176 khadi institutions statewide.
- The initiative will be formally launched on Government Employees’ Day on April 21, while proposals for an MSIL-run employees’ canteen and extending KSIC’s 5% silk discount to all staff are being prepared for the upcoming state budget.