PANAJI
In a fresh push to promote eco-friendly Ganesh festivities and revive Goa's traditional clay idol-making industry, the State government has rolled out a new scheme offering free clay pugmill machines to registered clay idol artisans.
The initiative titled "Scheme for providing Clay Pugmill Machines for Clay Idol Makers, 2026" and notified recently, is expected to encourage artisans to shift away from environmentally harmful Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols.
The scheme provides distribution of one clay pugmill machine free of cost to each eligible artisan during his or her lifetime.
"The scheme promotes eco-friendly practice by encouraging artisans to produce clay idols for Ganesh Chaturthi festival. Clay Ganesh idol-making artisans face difficulties due to the high cost of materials and labour towards preparation and clay for moulding Ganesh Idols. Hence, to support artisans and encourage new artisans to accept above trade, the Government of Goa decided to give clay pugmill machines to clay Ganesh artisans/pottery artisans of Goa registered with Goa Handicrafts, Rural and Small Scale Industries Development Corporation Ltd. (GHRSSIDC)," it said.
The government has made it clear that the benefit will be available only once. "To provide a clay pugmill machine free of cost to the artisans once in a lifetime and he/she is not entitled to avail the scheme once availed," the notification added, further mentioning that the scheme seeks to preserve Goa's traditional clay idol-making art while helping artisans cope with rising costs of clay, paints, transportation and labour.
Only artisans registered with GHRSSIDC will be eligible. Applicants will have to purchase the prescribed application form for Rs 1,000 and submit a self-declaration committing to eco-friendly practices. Preference will be given to traditional clay idol makers and artisans who can demonstrate the need for the equipment to improve productivity.
It said the scheme will be administered by GHRSSIDC through an appraisal committee comprising its chairman, managing director, a board nominee, a representative of the Department of Handicrafts, Textile and Coir, and a senior GHRSSIDC officer. The committee will scrutinise applications and review implementation every three months.
The cost of each pugmill machine will be capped at Rs 35,000, the government said, with expenditure to be borne by the State government. The scheme will remain in force for five years unless modified or extended.
