New Delhi, May 12 (IANS): The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has sent legal notices to three firms for illegally using its brand name and registered trademark logo 'Khadi India' to sell personal protective equipment (PPE) and has claimed Rs 150 crore in damages from them.

The notices have been sent to Delhi-based firms Nachia Corporations, Pest Cure Incorporation and Ved Prakash Mithal and Sons. The KVIC has asked them to pay Rs 50 crore each for fraudulent use of the name and logo.

The KVIC has also asked them to stop selling, marketing or distributing any such product bearing the "Khadi India" logo and surrender all such items to it immediately.

The notice allows them seven days, before initiation of the legal action.

Stating that such gross violation will not be tolerated, KVIC Chairman Vinai Kumar Saxena said, "This is a serious violation. No individual or firm will be allowed to misuse the brand name of Khadi. Even in the past, we have taken strict legal action against violators, including some big companies."

According to the KVIC, it has not launched any PPE kit in the market, neither has authorised any firm to manufacture, sell or distribute PPE kits using its brand name and logo.

PPE kits developed by the KVIC made of khadi fabric are not for medical staff and it is at testing stage.