The Ganjam district branch of the Odisha Chiralaya Owners’ Association conducted an organisational meeting here on Wednesday. President of the association Dillip Kumar Samantray presided.
Speaking on the occasion, Samantray said that the Chitralayas and artists have been under utter financial strains since the Covid-19 pandemic.
After the pandemic was over, the Chitralays tried their best to resume business during last “Danda Nacha” in Ganjam held in the month of Chaitra and kept hope to continue their business further during the Janmastami, Nandoschava and Kumar Purinima. However, the incessant and untimely rain shattered the hope of the artists and the owners of Chitralayas bringing great loss to the sector. The members expressed their serious concern over the uncertainty hovering over their livelihood.
State Secretary of the association Durga Prasad Acharya graced the meeting as the chief guest. Acharya urged the State Government and the district administration to take necessary steps to provide fiscal assistance to the artists and the owners of the age-old Chitralayas for their survival.
They lamented the silence of the Government in take measures to save the sector and the people associated with it.