New Delhi, The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) is mulling over taking legal action against business firms which are fraudulently manufacturing and selling personal protective equipment (PPE) kits using its registered trademark logo 'Khadi India'.

KVIC Chairman Vinai Kumar Saxena said, "So far we have not launched Khadi PPE kits in the market. Selling PPE kits fraudulently in the name of ‘Khadi India' is illegal. KVIC has developed its own PPE kit made of Khadi fabric which is at various levels of testing."

Saxena asserted that these unscrupulous PPE kits pose grave risk to the safety of doctors, diagnostic and paramedic staff who are dealing with Covid-19 patients on a routine basis and added that the company is "contemplating legal action against such fraudsters".

The company uses double-twisted hand-spun, hand-woven Khadi fabric for its products and hence, the kits made of non-woven material like polyester and polypropylene are neither Khadi products nor KVIC-approved products, a statement issued by the company added.

"The fake PPE kits manufactured by one Delhi-based ‘Nichia Corporation' were brought to the notice of Deputy CEO, KVIC, Satya Narayana, who informed that KVIC has not launched any PPE kit or outsourced it to any private agency," the statement said.

At present, KVIC is only manufacturing and distributing specially designed Khadi face masks that conform to the highest safety standards.

KVIC is using double-twisted Khadi fabric for manufacturing these masks as it helps retain 70 per cent of the moisture content inside.

Further, these masks are made of hand-spun and hand-woven Khadi fabric which is breathable, washable and biodegradable.