What is in news : Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has set up Odisha’s first ever tussar silk yarn production centre at Choudwar in Cuttack district

Benefit :

• Tussar silk is one of the finest varieties of silk that is distinguished by its coarseness and porous weave that give it a rugged and rustic appearance.
• This silk yarn production centre will ensure local availability of tussar silk yarn, create local employment and reduce production costs.
• The development assumes great significance as silk comprises nearly 75% of the total khadi fabric production in Odisha.
• This silk yarn production centre will create direct employment for 50 artisans including 34 women, besides providing livelihood support to over 300 tribal farmers engaged in cocoon farming.
• This will also create indirect employment for weavers and reelers in the state.
• Every kilo of raw silk produced, creates employment for 11 artisans out of which 6 are women.

About KVIC

• Statutory body
• Established by an Act of Parliament (Khadi and Village Industries Commission Act of 1956).
• In April 1957, it took over the work of former All India Khadi and Village Industries Board.
• Apex organization under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, with regard to khadi and village industries within India, which seeks to – “plan, promote, facilitate, organise and assist in the establishment and development of khadi and village industries in the rural areas in coordination with other agencies engaged in rural development wherever necessary.”