PANAJI
With cost of clay Ganesh idols escalating annually, the Goa Handicrafts Rural and Small Scale Industries Development Corporation (GHRSSIDC) is considering increasing the subsidy from Rs 200 to Rs 500 per idol.
The government had recently doubled the subsidy to the artisans under ‘Clay Idol Makers Subsidy Scheme’, with a cap of 250 idols. This year, as on date, 410 artisans have registered for the subsidy, while last year 388 opted for financial benefit.
GHRSSIDC chairman Pravin Arlekar said that following requests from the artisans, the Corporation intends to move a proposal to the government to increase the subsidy to Rs 500 per idol while maintaining the cap.
“The cost of making idols is increasing every year and so also the price of the idols. Increased subsidy will not only help artisans but also common man from escalating idol cost,” he said.
He said that increased subsidy will help in discouraging the use of environmentally-hazardous idols of plaster of Paris (PoP) during the coming Ganesh festival. The festival is scheduled on September 7-8.
According to the market vendors, cost of Ganesh idols installed at homes, fluctuate based on the idol’s shape, size, weight and colour combination and it ranges anywhere between Rs 900 to 4000.
GHRSSIDC informed that this year, 410 have registered so far. The Corporation said that last year, an amount of Rs 55 lakh was disbursed to 388 artisans.
In the last five years, since 2018 till 2023, total 2,391 artisans have benefited under the scheme. The total amount disbursed was Rs 2.54 crore.
The scheme was launched in 2008.
Meanwhile, the Goa State Pollution Control Board has once again issued an advisory banning manufacturing, sale, import and use of PoP Ganesh idols in the State.
