Bhubaneswar: Alleging continued neglect of traditional artisans and weavers in the state, the Odisha Shilpi Mahasangha has warned of launching an agitation if the state government fails to address their long-pending demands.
The warning was issued during the grand celebration of the 14th Annual Festival of the Odisha Shilpi Mahasangha, organised at Parijat Kalyan Mandap in Phulbani.
Addressing the gathering as the chief guest, Jajpur MP Dr Rabindra Narayan Behera said that artisans and weavers are an integral part of the state’s cultural identity and heritage.
He stressed that the issues confronting traditional artisans and weavers could be resolved through constructive dialogue rather than agitation.
He assured the gathering that he would act as a bridge between the artisan community and the state government to ensure that their concerns receive due attention.
Highlighting the significance of the handloom and handicraft sectors, Behera said these industries have been major sources of employment and have played a vital role in strengthening the rural economy for generations.
He further assured that he would draw the state government’s attention to the need for providing monthly financial assistance to artisans and weavers and ensuring the effective functioning of the Handloom and Handicrafts Development and Promotion Council.
Speaking on the occasion, Odi sha Shilpi Mahasangha president Uday Mohanty strongly criticised the state Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Department over reported moves to transfer the Council’s state office at Ghatikia, along with its auditorium facilities, to the National Gallery of Modern Art under the Union Ministry of Culture.
Mohanty demanded that the state government immediately withdraw the proposal and constitute a governing board for the Council.
He warned that the Mahasangha would launch an agitation if its demands were not fulfilled.
Dr Pabitramohan Samantaray, president of the National Journalists’ Federation, attended the programme as a distinguished guest and appreciated the Mahasangha’s efforts towards the overall development and welfare of artisans and weavers.
Delivering the keynote address, Prakash Chandra Meher, state president of Boyanika, described artisans and weavers as the principal contributors to the Swadeshi movement.
He emphasised the need to preserve the state’s traditional handloom and handicraft heritage while introducing innovative designs to meet changing market demands.
Mahasangha secretary Priyaranjan Kar, who conducted the programme, placed three major demands before the state government.
These included the effective implementation of the Chief Minister’s Senior Weavers and Artisans Assistance Scheme, immediate constitution of the governing board of the Handloom and Handicrafts Development and Promotion Council, and an increase in the budgetary allocation for the state’s handloom and handicrafts sectors to Rs 5,000 crore.
The gathering expressed dissatisfaction over the state government’s alleged failure to respond to repeated representations submitted by the organisation.
The Mahasangha also placed several demands for the welfare and social security of artisans and weavers.
These included providing homestead land to landless artisans, scholarships for their children, interest-free loans and life insurance coverage.
Other demands included the construction of an artisans’ hostel in Bhubaneswar to provide temporary accommodation, establishment of an Artisans’ Welfare Fund, creation of dedicated artisan markets along national highways, and identification and development of new artisan villages.
The organisation also called for the supply of tussar silk, cotton yarn and dyes to weavers at subsidised rates, along with the availability of raw materials to artisans at affordable prices.
