Ganeshotsav: HDMC to give incentive for clay idol makers

Hubballi: The Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC), which had issued a digital certificate last year to citizens who installed clay idols of Lord Ganesha, has decided to provide a cash incentive to artists who prepare clay idols, along with intensifying checks against Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols.“Incentive for the families preparing clay idols is planned to be given after taking a final decision in consultation with corporators, and discussing the matter in the general body meeting of the HDMC. The demand for a site for setting up the workshop for traditional clay idol makers will also be discussed, and a positive decision will be taken,” said HDMC Commissioner Rudresh Ghali.Speaking at a preparatory meeting with the representatives of Sarvajanika Ganeshotsav Mandals and idol makers here on Thursday, he said nearly one lakh digital certificates were issued for installing clay idols last year, and a similar initiative to promote eco-friendly Ganeshotsav would be taken this time also.West Bengal artisans raise bar for Davanagere’s Ganesha idol makersWhen representatives of Ganeshotsav Mandalis lamented that PoP idols would be available in the market even amid ban, Ghali asked the HDMC’s zonal officers to intensify the checks, and to cancel the trade licence of shops and godowns that sell or store PoP idols. As idols made of PoP are banned, zone-wise teams would conduct raids to trace and seize such idols, and the drive should be intensified, as the works related to the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls are over now, he said.Ghali also assured to conduct road repair works soon, as tenders have been called.A total of 35 ponds across the twin cities would be cleaned for immersion of idols.Hescom and the Forest Department are asked to remove tree branches that obstruct processions. A single-window system each in Hubballi and Dharwad has already started to issue permissions from different departments for community Ganeshotsav, he added.‘Announcement soon’Mayor Durgamma Bijwad stated that an announcement to give Rs 25,000 incentive for clay idol makers would be made soon after holding discussions.Price of Ganesha idols likely to go up by 15-25% in Karnataka this yearShe asked the officials to ensure proper road repair works, drinking water supply, cleanliness, lighting and other facilities for Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations beginning from September 14.Leader of House in HDMC Shivanand Menasinakai suggested a stricter vigil against PoP idols, and to arrange artificial ponds in all 82 wards.When Marathagalli Ganeshotsav Samiti representatives said the flyover would be a hindrance for the movement of tall idols, Assistant Commissioner of Police (North) Shivanand Chalavadi said a joint survey would be conducted to finalise an alternative route.He also asked pandals to have five to 10 volunteers each, adding that police and home guards would also be on bundobust duty.Measures to prevent the overflow of water from the naala (stormwater drain) at Tulaja Bhavani Circle when it rains, and giving a proper checklist and common form to get permission for community Ganeshotsav were also among the demands of Samitis.Deputy Mayor Ratnabai Nazare, Corporators M Y Nargund, Chetan Hirekerur, HDMC Deputy Commissioner (Development) Vijaykumar R, and others were present.The number of representatives of Ganeshotsav Samitis was less in the meeting, and they lamented that many Samitis were not informed about the meeting. Hubballi Shri Sarvajanika Ganeshotsav Samtigala Mahamandal office-bearers also said they were not invited for the meeting.

Source: Deccan Herald