Ganesha idols in Karnataka likely to see 20% hike in prices; Here's why
Bengaluru: A shortfall in the supply of high quality clay in the city is expected to cause a 15-20 per cent hike in the price of idols for this year’s Ganesha festival, proving a problem for devotees.
The artists have said that clay, which is used to prepare the idols, is supplied from lakes and riverbeds in and around Bengaluru and Bengaluru South (Ramanagara) districts has become highly expensive. They have also attributed this to the rivers and lakes filling up to at least 50 per cent of their capacity as a result of the heavy rainfall so far, Times of India has reported.
Explaining that they used to get quality clay during an ebb in the water levels of rivers and lakes, an idol maker from Tumakuru, Suresh, said that they are unable to do so this year as the water bodies still contain a considerable amount of water. He added that they are now getting clay supplies from other places like Hoskote, Bagaluru, Malur and Kannur.
Further, the idol makers have been looking for sources outside Karnataka to get the raw material. Shivanand, another idol maker, said that they are forced to do so since the local clay is of poor quality, which might also result in the idols developing cracks once the clay dries.
Shivanand said that they have ordered for clay from the Gangetic plains of Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal., which is of high quality, and the artists are also assured that the quality of the idols is good.
Referring to the use of the clay from UP and West Bengal, he said that the idols are first made with local clay and paddy husk and then coated with the clay from the Gangetic plains.
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Governor’s speech row: CM Siddaramaiah cites “Vartha Bharathi” editorial in assembly
Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday cited an editorial published in the Kannada daily Vartha Bharathi during the Assembly session. The Chief Minister was responding to a debate in the assembly held over the Governor's address to the joint session of both Houses of the State Legislature.
On January 22, Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot declined to read the customary address prepared by the government and made a two-line address before walking out on the first day of the State legislature session, triggering a major political row.
After the House reconvened following the lunch break, Speaker U.T. Khader gave CM Siddaramaiah the opportunity to respond to the debate on the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address. In his reply, the Chief Minister said the Governor left in haste without reading the full speech prepared by the government. He also pointed out that the Governor did not include the phrase “Jai Samvidhana” (Hail Constitution) and did not wait until the completion of the national anthem, stating that such conduct was inappropriate.
Referring to editorials published in various state dailies, the Chief Minister specifically cited Vartha Bharathi’s editorial dated January 23.
He said Governor Gehlot’s conduct during the January 22 session was not in keeping with the dignity of the constitutional office. Qouting the editorial the CM said, “the Governor appeared to act as though decisions and resolutions of the elected government required approval from him or the Central government, undermining the federal structure. Such actions violated the spirit of the Constitution and further fueled the already existing conflict between the Centre and the state."
Is Vartha Bharathi part of the government's cabinet? : V. Sunil Kumar
In the meantime, BJP MLA V. Sunil Kumar intervened the CM and questioned whether Vartha Bharathi was part of the government’s Cabinet.
Siddaramaiah responded saying, “no representatives of the newspaper were associated with the Congress party.”
Supporting the CM's statement and taking a jab at the BJP MLA, Minister Byrathi Suresh added, “None of Vartha Bharati’s representatives are there in our Cabinet. The editor of another newspaper was a member of your (BJP) party.”
