Rachakonda police hold meeting with Ganesh festival organisers

CLAY Ganesh idol sellers in Telangana are facing a severe setback this season as imports of Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols from Maharashtra have flooded the market.

- KHYATI SHAH @Hyderabad

CLAY Ganesh idol sellers in Telangana are facing a severe setback this season as imports of Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols from Maharashtra have flooded the market. Traders report losses of nearly 50% on PoP idols and almost no business for clay idol makers. Many small sellers say there is hardly any market left for clay idols, as buyers are turning to PoP for its smooth finish and brighter look. The slump has raised concerns over the survival of traditional clay artisans, who depend on seasonal sales for their livelihood.

Though these PoP idols, mainly brought in from Solapur, attract most buyers, the reality is that they heavily pollute Hyderabad's lakes. Nearly 99% of idols in markets today are made of PoP, despite the state government ban. Activists argue that the real problem is not the law but its lack of enforcement.