DHENKANAL: The State Assembly Standing Committee has asked the district administration to identify skilled rural artisans for their economic empowerment. The committee headed by MLA Amar Prasad Satpathy visited the district on Monday and directed Collector Roopa Roshan Sahoo to initiate the process for identification and bank linkage of beneficiaries.
Satpathy said cluster development approach model will be introduced to bring changes in the lifestyle and livelihood of the artisans. Besides, development of the community will be the major focus area. Funds will be santioned after identification work is completed, he added.
Sources said the district has artisans who work on bamboo products, docra, terracotta, brass, tribal and traditional jewellery. In Gobardhanpur and Karmul villages, artisans are making tribal jewellery and exporting those to 17 countries including Europe. Villages of Indipur and Sadeibereni have tremendous potential for development of clusters of artisans.
Meanwhile, the Collector announced that the State Government has sanctioned `2.5 crore in first phase to set up a heritage village at Saptasajya near Sadeibereni Art village in Dhenkanal.