Rs 18.22 lakh released for Dhokra workshop

Dhenkanal: With an objective to promote Dhokra art and craft, the government has released Rs 18.22 lakh for construction of Dhokra Bhati-cum-Workshop at artisan Sadeibereni village recently. Sadeibereni and Nuagaon villages are popular for Dhokra craft in national and international market .

The fund was released by Textiles and Handicrafts department. The work for the unit is going on, said Ramakant Behera, Assistant Director of Handicrafts. At present, the artisans are making the craft without the use of technology. The Bhati-cum-Workshop will help hundreds of artisans to make better and more craft, said Behera. As many as 255 Dhokra artisans are making Dhokra products in Saptasajya gram panchayat.

Besides, the government has released Rs 1.20 lakh for each of the 31 families for construction of workshed-cum-house in Sadeibereni village. Now the artisans are constructing houses-cum-workshed on their own. Dhokra artisans are making Dhokra crafts in Sadeibereni gram panchayat, Hindol and other places of the district.

Even as the government has released funds for some artisan families, several other artisans belonging to Nuagaon and Sadeibereni village are yet to get assistance to build their houses. The artisans of Nuagaon had sought the intervention of the 5T Secretary in this regard during his visit last month.

The Dhokra products are exported to Gulf and European countries through TRIFED and other agencies, informed Sanatan Padhan, an artisan and master resource person on Dhokra products.