While preparations for Ganesh Chaturthi are in full swing with various artisans all over the State busy giving final touches to their idols, the artisans are unhappy over the delayed government subsidies on Ganesh idols.
Last year, a prominent family of Ganesh idol artisans in Canacona claims to have received the subsidies two days before the Ganesh festival, well after they incurred heavy expenses to procure the raw material. This year, they were given the subsidies on August 9, a day before Raksha Bandhan.
The Chari family of Char-Rasta alone has been meeting the needs of around 350 families celebrating Ganesh festivities in Canacona taluka and has been working overtime to meet the demand.
The artisan family, which has been traditionally making clay Ganesh idols since the last three generations, comprises Vilas Chari and his three nephews, Raghunath, Pujan and Sidharth, who represent third generation of artisans.
“The quality of clay to make Ganesh idols has also deteriorated as there is no recycling of clay due to non-cultivation of paddy fields,” says Vilas.
The Char-Rasta Chari workshop prepares idols for the 350 families worshiping Ganesha, while on priority are orders for eight large Ganesh idols at Sarvajanik (public) places, including Sanguem, Canacona police station, Chaudi, Barcem and Agonda.
Sidharth was, however, dismayed about the present government’s attitude towards clay artisans and claimed that there was a habitual delay in the payment of subsidies.
“Not even once have we got the subsidy amount in time, since the BJP government came to power,” lamented Sidharth.
“The subsidy of Rs 100 per idol initially started for 150 idols and it was increased to 200 idols about two years ago. Now, the subsidy is for 250 idols. The government has never given us this subsidy when we need it the most.”
“We expect the subsidies to be given to us on time, especially when we make purchases of raw materials in June. Last year, it was paid to us barely two days before the Ganesh festivial,” Sidharth added.
Sidharth Chari, who looks after the financial aspects of the Chari family, admits that they have been forced to hike the cost of their Ganesh idols. “The cost of various items, including the clay and paints, have increased manifold and this has compelled us to increase our idol costs marginally. The availability of Ganesh idol clay is also in question now, as landowners have to be paid something between Rs 5000 and Rs 7000 for a load of clay,” complains Sidharth.
Vilas also added that although it is challenging to produce quality Ganesh idols with the available clay, it is against their family’s ethics to use Plaster of Paris (PoP) in
Ganesh idols.
