No matter who comes to power, the lives of these weavers continue to be difficult.
As weaver Suvarnna puts it: "Despite working throughout the day, we hardly get `40 for spinning threads which are 1,000 metres long".
Suvarnamma (55) is just one of the many weavers working at Khadi Kendra in Badanavalu. She is in the city to participate in the 'Khadi Mela' which began at Nanjaraja Bahadur Choultry on Sunday.
This is the fate of many labourers working at the historic Badanavalu Khadi Kendra in Nanjangud taluk where Mahatma Gandhi visited once.
As she spins threads using 'charaka', Suvarnamma narrates her story.
"I have been spinning thread for the past 25 years. We used to get 50 paise for spinning 1,000 metres. Now we are getting hardly Rs 40. Most of us make a little more than Rs 1,000 a month,' she says.
Siddamma, another weaver from Badanavalu, says she feels happy when she sees people wearing khadi but feels sad that it has made no difference to their lives.
Revenue Minister V Srinivasa Prasad inaugurated the mela. He said everyone should work to realise Mahatma Gandhi's dream of 'Grama Swaraj'.
He promised that the government would give priority to cottage industries to help them compete with major industries.
Delivering the presidential address at the inaugural ceremony, MLA Vasu said the market for cottage industries should be given a boost to promote such products.
At the same time, the gap between the major industries and cottage industries should be bridged, he added.
Khadi Board authorities said they expect a turnover of Rs 2 crore this year, against `80 lakh last year.
The mela is organised by Karnataka Khadi and Village Industries Board and will be held till November 3.