Korukonda: Potter families of Kumbharguda village under this block in Malkangiri district have moved to urban areas in search of alternative livelihoods as there are few takers for their products, a report said.
A community hall, that had been planned at a cost of Rs10-lakh to improve their economic lot and enhance their skills, has been lying half-built, it added.
The District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) granted the fund during 2010-11 fiscal under Swarna Jayanti Swarojagar Yojana to hone the skills of potters and generate more skilled hands.
Korukonda BDO and former junior engineer JB Sahoo had earmarked the site for the hall. However, it is yet to see the light of the day and the semi-constructed building, at present, is surrounded by wild bush and creepers.
Though these families had approached concerned authorities on several occasions, it is yet to bear results, potters Narasingh Kumbhar, Phulmati Kumbhar, Sambharu Kumbar and others alleged.
“The funds are lying unutilised due to stark callousness of government officials and the poor potters are deprived of benefits,” the villagers said.
There are 30 potter families in Kumbharguda area near Chitapari village. They eked out a living by making earthen wares like pots, pitchers, lamps and other household items. However, arrival of steel, brass, aluminum and plastic containers threw them jobless.
The potter families said the officer of the district industries centre came to their village about one-and-a-half months ago and took down their names to help them upgrade their skills. However, they have not received any advanced training as of now, they said.
According to potter Bati Kumbhar, most of the families had been living on making earthen wares. Lack of government assistance has forced them to look for other trades, Kumbhar added.
When contacted, industrial promotion officer A Nakhara said, “The training programme was meant for SC/ST community. The potter families couldn’t be included in the scheme as they belong to general caste.”
On the completion of the community hall, Korukonda block development officer Dasarathi Sarabu said he would personally see to it that the half-built building is finished. PNN
