Manish Kumar
post news network
Bhubaneswar: Solar lanterns given free of cost by the state government to weavers and other artisans in rural parts of the state are giving their users a hard time.
During a recent visit to some rural parts of the state, handlooms, textiles and handicrafts minister Snehangini Chhuria was shocked to find many weavers and artisans thoroughly dissatisfied with the functioning of the solar lanterns, which were decidedly of low quality.
While weavers and other artisans in rural areas of Orissa who received solar lanterns in the first phase of a scheme in 2013-14 say that the devices were of good quality, those who received them during 2014-15 have complained of finding many defects in them. The batteries, cables and fuses of the lanterns have been malfunctioning, they say.
The lanterns are being provided by Orissa Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA). Harried by frequent complaints about the state-funded solar lanterns, the state handlooms, textiles and handicrafts department has now written to OREDA to look into the matter and take steps to improve the devices.
“So far 28,236 units of solar lanterns have been provided to the weavers’ families through your organisation during 2013 and 2014-15. Units supplied in phase I, i.e. 2013-14, are mostly working well, but those supplied in the second phase are not working properly and frequent complaints are coming to the fore. We therefore request you to take suitable steps for supply of good quality lanterns and for early rectification of defective units,” said a letter from the directorate to OREDA.
Solar lanterns have come as a boon to many weavers and artisans engaged in their respective art forms. Many Dhokra artisans living in Sadeibereni village in Dhenkanal district said the lanterns have been helping them work in the evening in the absence of electricity.
“Solar lanterns provided by the government have come as a major aid for us. We charge them during the day and use them for continuing our work in the evenings. During the rainy season, it also helps us a lot for uninterrupted work,” said Ramesh Pradhan, a 54-year-old craftsman from the village, to Orissa POST.