Financial aid for artisans hiked

RAYAGADA:  IN what is sure to bring cheers to the handicraft artisans of the State, the director of Handicraft and Cottage Industries, Odisha has enhanced their grant for housing and workshop to ` 1,30,000 from ` 70,000. The department sanctioned the grant after a proposal was sent by the district administration of Rayagada recently for consideration. In a meeting held last month, district Collector Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar had said that `70,000 was inadequate for the artisans.

As many as eight terracotta artisans from Muniguda and Bissamcuttack blocks of the district were selected under the scheme by the Regional Industrial Centre (RIC). The collector had proposed the directorate concerned to enhance the financial assistance of handicraft artisans from ` 70,000 to ` 1,30,000. The proposal was immediately accepted by the State Government. In a meeting on Monday, eight handicraft artisans of Rayagada district were given ` 20,000 as work order for their housing and workshop.

“Unlike Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, the handicraft artisans will get an incentive of ` 20,000 if they complete the project within four months and if it is completed within six months, then they will be given additional incentive of ` 10,000”, said the collector. An artisan Pradeep Kumar Badehi said the hike in financial incentive will not only help handicraft artisans from Rayagada district but also from across the State. Among others,General Manager RIC Birendra Karkaria, IPO Sabyasachi Sahu, Babulal Gantayat were present.