Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Aug 23: With Ganesh festival approaching and the ban on Plaster of Paris idols in place, Goa’s artisans are receiving a fresh lease of life through the government’s subsidy scheme for clay idol making.

The scheme provides Rs 200 per clay idol for up to 250 idols per artisan and supports traditional craftsmanship while promoting eco-friendly practices, said Damodar Morajkar, Managing Director of the Goa Handicrafts, Rural and Small Scale Industries Development Corporation Ltd. “PoP idols pollute water bodies as they do not dissolve, but clay idols return to nature harmlessly,” he explained.

Around 450 artisans are currently registered under the scheme, which also helps them procure clay-mixing machines for preparing raw materials efficiently. The subsidy was increased from Rs 100 to Rs 200 in the past two years to keep up with inflation.

For artisans, the scheme has become a means of livelihood and a way to keep their craft alive. Ramesh Harmalkar of Chimbel village, who has been making idols for five decades, said, “The government’s subsidy and clay-mixing machines have eased our work and helped control idol prices, which range from Rs 1,500 to Rs 50,000.”

Sunil Harmalkar, making 400–500 idols each season, added, “We start work three months in advance to soak and mix clay. The machines make the process faster.”

In Mayem village, Rupesh Shet and his family prepare around 800 idols, starting from June by softening clay in rainwater. “The subsidy helps us buy raw materials. My whole family works day and night,” he said, urging everyone to use only mud idols to keep celebrations eco-friendly.

The scheme ensures artisans can sustain their livelihood while preserving Goa’s traditional craft and promoting environmentally safe Ganesh celebrations.