The Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshutsav Samanvay Samiti (BSGSS), an umbrella organisation of Ganpati mandals and murtikars (idols sculptors), has renewed their demand for monetary compensation to artists. The compensation demanded is of Rs500 per household Ganpati.
The demand was first made in 2012 with the state government. Along with it, the murtikars had also sought shadu mati (soil) – used for preparing eco-friendly Ganpatis – to be available at a reasonable rate. They had also demanded space for the idols to be made as making and drying them required more time and space.
"Unlike the plaster of Paris (POP) Ganaptis that can be made in larger numbers in one day itself, eco-friendly ones take around eight days. They are also more expensive, so some encouragement needs to be given to artists. If states like Goa can do it, why not Maharashtra," said Naresh Dahibavkar, chairman of the BSGSS.
Goa has banned POP idols for household Ganpatis and instead, gives murtikars Rs100 as monetary compensation. Each artist is not allowed to make more than 250 idols.
In Mumbai, eco-friendly Ganpatis are between 1.5 and 2 feet tall. Each idol costs a minimum of Rs2,500, depending on the work done. POP idols of the same height cost Rs1,500.
"The monetary compensation will not only take care of the additional expenses, but also help increase the number of eco-friendly Ganpatis. Since our state has enough money, it can give Rs500 to start with," added Dahibavkar.
In Maharasthra, 46,000 sarvajanik murtis are made, up to 15 feet tall. Household Ganpatis in the state are as many as 18.38 lakhs and two feet tall. In Mumbai, there are 11,400 sarvajanik mandals, while around 1.80 lakh murtis are household ones. "The state spends a lot of money in advertising and asking people to go for eco-festivals. If they spend some of that amount on this, it will go a long way," said Dahibavkar.
When dna tried to contact the environment secretary and minister of state of the department, they were unavailable for comment.
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