<p class="title">The craftsmen, engaged in gold and silver jewellery work, are struggling to make ends meet due to lockdown.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The goldsmiths come under unorganised sector and lack insurance and other facilities.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The lockdown has left the goldsmiths in distress. Normally, March to May is considered auspicious months as a majority of marriages are solemnised during the period. It is during this time the goldsmiths too make good money.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The intricate work on gold and silver ornaments is grueling work. There are more than 10,000 craftsmen, who are engaged in the work on the ornaments since generations.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“The Covid-19 pandemic has come as a jolt to our people and we are forced to close down all our shops. We are not sure how long it will take to revive the market,” rued B M Ravindra Acharya, one of the goldsmith.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The government has been giving priority to skill development of traditional craftsmen. Now, these traditional craftsmen engaged in gold and silver works are vulnerable. Every family should be given a compensation of Rs 10,000 per month, Rs 1 lakh security for the purchase of gold, interest-free loan and help in the educational needs of the children, he added.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The essential grocery items should be supplied to the goldsmiths, said DK Gold Workers’ Association President K L Harish.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“We have brought our woes to the notice of district in-charge minister, MLAs and DC. We are hopeful of positive response,” he added.<br /> </p>
<p class="title">The craftsmen, engaged in gold and silver jewellery work, are struggling to make ends meet due to lockdown.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The goldsmiths come under unorganised sector and lack insurance and other facilities.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The lockdown has left the goldsmiths in distress. Normally, March to May is considered auspicious months as a majority of marriages are solemnised during the period. It is during this time the goldsmiths too make good money.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The intricate work on gold and silver ornaments is grueling work. There are more than 10,000 craftsmen, who are engaged in the work on the ornaments since generations.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“The Covid-19 pandemic has come as a jolt to our people and we are forced to close down all our shops. We are not sure how long it will take to revive the market,” rued B M Ravindra Acharya, one of the goldsmith.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The government has been giving priority to skill development of traditional craftsmen. Now, these traditional craftsmen engaged in gold and silver works are vulnerable. Every family should be given a compensation of Rs 10,000 per month, Rs 1 lakh security for the purchase of gold, interest-free loan and help in the educational needs of the children, he added.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The essential grocery items should be supplied to the goldsmiths, said DK Gold Workers’ Association President K L Harish.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“We have brought our woes to the notice of district in-charge minister, MLAs and DC. We are hopeful of positive response,” he added.<br /> </p>