Thursday, 17 October 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Ahead of the festive season, a surge is seen in the demand of clay used for crafting earthenware such as diyas and Karwa pots. And in tune with the rise in demand, their prices soar. However, this time, the rise in prices is steep enough to make the potters, engaged in carving out diyas and other pots for the festivities, nervous at the likelihood of a hike in prices of the finished products indispensable for Karwachauth and Deepavali celebration.
Speaking to The Pioneer, the potters said that they fear that given the rising clay costs, they might not be able to maintain competitive pricing for their products compared to previous years.
Recounting their predicament, they said that even if they are aware of the escalating prices of raw materials for earthen items, the buyers expect these products to be sold at the same rates as in the past.
Speaking to The Pioneer, a potter Mayank Prajapati who sells earthen products at Kumhar Mandi that they could not help raising the prices of diyas and other earthen pots for Karwachauth and Deepawali because of the higher prices they are shelling out for clay. “We have been sourcing clay from local suppliers for many years. Previously, we used to purchase a trolley of clay for Rs 8,000. However, this year we are buying a trolley of clay for Rs 12,000. This cannot but raise the prices of earthen products. For instance, this year Karwa pots are being sold at Rs 25 each, compared to Rs 20 in the previous year. Further, the price of bigger diyas has risen to Rs eight each from Rs five previously,” he added.
Another potter Rekha Devi echoed the same view, saying that she had been selling festive earthen products for many years. “I used to source my materials for earthen products from Chandigarh and other locations. These cost a little more. But the local potters are now offering their products at lower prices to attract customers,” she said and added that people still choose to purchase the low-cost items which must result in losses to be incurred by them.
Many other potters have also expressed similar concerns about the escalating prices of clay which have spiralled up to Rs 12,000 per trolley.
“The customers do not see things and blame us for the earthen items’ higher prices,” Rekha added.
