Polyester, satin flags fly high as khadi tricolour fades out

Pune: Elections are usually good for Karnataka Khadi Gramodyog Samyukta Sangha (KKGSS), a BIS-certified tricolour unit. But this time, they have had almost no orders from political parties for the Indian flag made from khadi. Instead, polyester and satin flags, which they do not make, are much in demand.The amendment to the flag code two years ago allows the manufacture and use of machine-made and polyester flags which has impacted sales for the khadi unit. Orders are gradually slowing down and many artisans, spinners and weavers at the Hubbali unit are sitting idle, the management told TOI.“The flags that we manufacture are based on the BIS specifications in terms of exact measurement, size and thread count. This makes them more expensive than the mill cotton, satin and polyester flags available in the market. No political party wants to spend extra if they can purchase them at a cheap rate,” K V Pattar, chairman of KKGSS, said.Khadi flags are three times more expensive than polyester or mill cotton flags. In 2022-23, KKGSS sold Rs 4.5 crore worth flags when the country celebrated its 75th year of Independence. However, sales dipped to Rs 2.5 crore in 2023-24 and the management said that it may drop further now.The unit in Bengeri village in Hubballi hires many poor artisans and women. The reduction in orders has impacted their wages. “We are paid based on the work we do. It is a piece-based wage that is paid to most staff,” manager Annapurna Kotiager at the unit, who has been working there for the last 20 years.Apart from the regular demand for flags during January and August, manufacturers typically expect a slight increase in orders during election years.Dhanesh Bhat, who has been running Khadi Dyers and Printers, another BIS licensee for the tricolour, said, “For election purposes, most parties are opting for the commercial satin flags with a one-side print. Over the last two years, our sales have fallen by almost 40%. Societies and institutions, who can afford to buy khadi flags, are opting for cheaper polyester flags,” he said. This unit sells about 40,000-50,000 flags a year worth about Rs 3 crore.Dalvir Nagi, founder and managing director at The Flag Company, said that the market is evolving to use more durable and cost-effective flags across categories.“The demand for the tricolour is growing 50% year-on-year driven by Independence and Republic Day requirements to sports events. This election demand for party flags is 10 times higher than the last election. We have already delivered crores of flags to national and regional political parties,” he said.