The Assam government is ‘forced’ to procure around 50 lakh national flags from “outside” as the Assam Khadi and Village Industries Board is unable to supply the tricolour at the rate set by the government.
The state government is proposing to hoist around 80 lakh national flags as part of the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign under the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations.
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the state will be procuring over 50 lakh tricolours from the Union textile ministry.
A report in Business Northeast stated that the Assam Khadi and Village Industries Board could have easily met the requirement but due to the “low rate”, it will be unable to supply the tricolour.
“The Assam government discussed with us before placing the order. But the government is placing the minimum price at Rs 18 to make it affordable for all. Our minimum price is Rs 50. The Khadi material is expensive and hand weaved. The entire process is by hand and the board couldn’t afford that loss,” chairperson of the Assam Khadi and Village Industries Board Kamala Kanta Kalita was quoted as saying in the report.
He informed that the Assam Khadi and Village Industries Board produced over 30,000 national flags till date for the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign.
As part of the 75th year of Independence, ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations, the Union government is actively promoting the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign. It encourages the people to bring the tricolour home and to hoist it to mark the 75th year of India’s Independence.
“The idea behind the initiative is to invoke the feeling of patriotism in the hearts of the people and to promote awareness about the Indian national flag,” a statement from the government said.
Earlier on July 31, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had informed that the tricolour will be available at government fair price shops across the state for Rs 18 a piece.
He added that several self-help groups (SHGs) made bigger flags which may cost around 100-150 but for the general public, the fair price shops, which distribute food items, will make the tricolour available at only Rs 18. “People, who cannot pay more, will buy from the fair price shops,” he added.
He urged the people to hoist the tricolour at their homes, business establishments, government and private offices, religious places and all other public places from August 13-15.
