Artisans call off stir after Min's assurance

Dharna staged by the Odisha Shilpi Mahasangha here on Monday in protest against various issues of artisans and weavers of the State was called off after a discussion with Handloom and Textile Minister Snehangini Chhuria.

The Minister said that the State Government is very carefully analyzing the issues of weavers and craftsmen of the State, while at the same time, it has implemented various schemes for their overall development. It was also decided that a detail discussion regarding the demands of the Mahasangha will be held at a meeting on March 30.

Among others, Korai MlA Akash Das Nayak, Mahasangha executive president Uday Mohanty, vice president Dandapani Sahoo and Priyaranjan Kar apprised the Minister about various problems of artisans. Notably, the agitation was held demanding steps to sort out problems of getting raw materials and setting up a separate department for growth of handicraft in the State.