VISAKHAPATNAM: With the increase in labour charges and the prices of materials used, owing to the implementation of GST, the price of Ganesh idols is now 30-40 per cent higher than last year in the city. A 5-ft idol used to be sold at around Rs 8,000, but its cost has gone up to Rs 11,000 this year, based on the quality of works. Idol-making workshop owners are also confused over the new taxation system and are increasing the price as per their convenience. Idol-making hu-bs in the city mostly import materials and artisans from West Bengal. Some of them said the input ch-arges had considerably increased this year.
“The labour charges have doubled and to top it, the material cost has increased by 15-20 per cent because of GST. So, altogether when the input cost is high, the artisans are demanding more. The main materials are water paints or varnish oil and decorative cloth. The colours are now taxed at 28 per cent from earlier 13.5 per cent and zari or garments at 5 per cent. I am also confused over the taxes le-vied on the other products used for idols,” said Bomma Srinu, owner of an idol-making workshop at Lawson’s Bay Colony. When asked about the price change in PoP, he said they were not using PoP as per police guidelines.
Curbs on idol height violated:
Idol makers and public Ganesh puja committees in the city are blatantly violating the regulations on the height of idols used during the festival. With a view to avoid accidents and ensure smooth passage of the immersion procession, the City Commissionerate of Police had restricted the height of idols to a maximum of 8 ft. However, at Sheelanagar, a 35-ft Ganesh idol is being erected in the name of eco-friendly Ganesh. Work is on to make Ganesh idols of 40 ft at Gajuwaka, 25 ft at Marriapalem and 21 ft at Simhachalam.
