Summary:
LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh government, according to a proposal mooted by the newly-constituted Mati Kala Board, has decided to promote use of kulhads (clay cups) in government offices and public places as an alternative to plastic cups. The proposal also suggests providing houses to the community and getting them registered with the labour department for making the benefits of the associated welfare schemes available to them.The state government would also enter into an agreement with fine arts faculties in the central and state universities to ensure transfer of technology to the artisans. The move comes in the wake of the Yogi Adiyanath government's complete ban on the use of polythene and plastic of thickness less than 50 micron from Sunday.This, the Yogi Adityanath government says, will not only be an environment-friendly measure but also bring in direct economic benefits to the potters' community which accounts for nearly two crore of UP's population.The Board's proposal says that the state government would make available artisans (especially from the Prajapati community), land 'pattas', and free electricity, besides waiving off all taxes. "Special pottery hubs would also be established in districts which have a sizeable population of the kumhaar community," a member of the board and principal secretary (Khadi), Navneet Sehgal told TOI.The hubs are proposed to be established in districts like Azamgarh (known for black pottery), Gorakhpur (terracota pottery), Mirzapur (Chunar ki Patri) and Khurja in Bulandshahr.The move, experts said, also gains much political significance amid the BJP attempting to woo the most backward caste (MBC) community to take on the united opposition in the run up to Lok Sabha elections due next year.State BJP sources said that the party has set a target of reaching out to at least six crore voters with an aim to get 50% vote share in the next general elections..