Overview
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) has detailed how the KVIC is now registered with the KPKB to supply Swadeshi and khadi products to the CAPFs. The move, effective from 13 March 2020, aims to promote indigenous goods, improve soldier welfare, and strengthen civic engagement in border districts.
Key Developments
- Four essential items – mustard oil, cotton bed durries, woolen blankets, and bed‑sheet & pillow‑covers – are earmarked for procurement from KVIC.
- ITBP handles mustard oil and durries, CRPF manages blankets, and the ADG (Medical) of CAPFs oversees bed‑sheet & pillow‑covers.
- Swadeshi products are sold through KPKB’s Master and Subsidiary Bhandars across India.
- Daily‑use items are directly procured by CAPFs from KVIC, ensuring regular supply.
- Beekeeping initiatives, supported by the National Bee Board, provide honey for soldiers to boost immunity.
- Under the VVP‑II, CAPFs buy edible items (fruits, vegetables, dairy, dry rations, meat) from SHGs and State Cooperative Societies.
Important Facts from Civic Action Programme (CAP)
The CAP allocations cover infrastructure repair, health camps, vocational training, livestock care, beekeeping, fisheries, non‑conventional energy, handicrafts, disaster assistance, water harvesting, sports facilities, and anti‑drug campaigns. Specific data for 2025‑26:
- Darjeeling district: 46 programmes benefitting 6,128 persons and treating 3,759 animals, with an expenditure of ₹9,52,000. An additional ₹11,71,000 is earmarked for 2026‑27.
- Kalimpong district: 4 programmes benefitting 783 persons, spending ₹2,86,500. An extra ₹5,00,781 is allocated for 2026‑27.
Exam Relevance
These initiatives illustrate the intersection of Swadeshi promotion, rural development, and internal security. Understanding the role of KVIC, KPKB, and CAPFs helps answer questions on welfare schemes for security forces (GS2), rural‑urban linkages (GS3), and implementation of central schemes in border areas (GS1). The data on allocations and programme outcomes provide material for answer writing on governance, public finance, and development administration.
Way Forward
To maximise impact, the MoHA could:
- Expand the list of khadi items to include winter wear and personal hygiene products.
- Integrate digital tracking for procurement to ensure transparency and timely delivery.
- Strengthen coordination between KVIC, KPKB, and local SHGs for better market linkages.
- Monitor health outcomes of honey consumption among troops to assess cost‑effectiveness.
- Scale up successful CAP projects from Darjeeling and Kalimpong to other border districts.
These steps would deepen the Swadeshi ethos, improve soldier welfare, and reinforce community development in sensitive border zones.