VALPOI
Despite a government ban on Plaster of Paris Ganesh idols, clay artisans have complained that PoP Ganesh idols are openly available for sale in Sattari taluka.
Mindful of the harmful effects to environment, the state government had banned the cheaper PoP Ganesh idols and has also promoted clay idols by offering a special honorarium to artisans.
However, the rising cost of clay idols on account of raw material and the availability of PoP idols has caused concern among the clay artisans in Sattari taluka.
"PoP idols openly available in the markets at Honda and Valpoi will only affect the livelihood of clay idol artisans. Two years ago, we had submitted a memorandum to demand a stop on the sale of such idols, but authorities appear least bothered to control this activity," complained Deepak Gaonkar, a young artisan from Honda,
A senior clay idol artisan from Pali-Sattari said the artisans have been hit by various hardships in their trade, on account of rising costs of clay and other raw materials.
"Authorities have failed to control the open sale of PoP idols across the State, which are cheaper in comparison to clay idols. If this trend continues, then our livelihood will be threatened,' said the artisan, who has been in the trade for three decades.
Despite a government ban on Plaster of Paris Ganesh idols, clay artisans have complained that PoP Ganesh idols are openly available for sale in Sattari taluka.
Mindful of the harmful effects to environment, the state government had banned the cheaper PoP Ganesh idols and has also promoted clay idols by offering a special honorarium to artisans.
However, the rising cost of clay idols on account of raw material and the availability of PoP idols has caused concern among the clay artisans in Sattari taluka.
"PoP idols openly available in the markets at Honda and Valpoi will only affect the livelihood of clay idol artisans. Two years ago, we had submitted a memorandum to demand a stop on the sale of such idols, but authorities appear least bothered to control this activity," complained Deepak Gaonkar, a young artisan from Honda,
A senior clay idol artisan from Pali-Sattari said the artisans have been hit by various hardships in their trade, on account of rising costs of clay and other raw materials.
"Authorities have failed to control the open sale of PoP idols across the State, which are cheaper in comparison to clay idols. If this trend continues, then our livelihood will be threatened,' said the artisan, who has been in the trade for three decades.
