Inspired by the Prime Minister’s vision of Swachcha Bharat, Tripura Government is working to build up healthy and ‘nirmal’ Tripura. Special initiative has been taken to lessen the use of plastic goods and increase utilization of alternative environment-friendly items in daily life. Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb said in a free clay tea cup distribution programme at Sukanta Academy in Agartala on Tuesday. The programme was organized by the Khadi and Gramodyog Board with the financial assistance of the Agartala Municipal Corporation.
In the programme, one lakh clay tea cups were distributed among 300 tea vendors who sell tea in and around the AMC area. The Chief Minister handed over the cups to tea vendors.
Speaking on the occasion, Deb said, “Uses of clay tea cups will result in twin benefits. Under the ‘Vocal for local’ theme, this will augment earnings of clay artisans of our state. Besides, use of clay cups will save the nature from the negative impact of plastics”.
The Chief Minister stressed on ensuring earnings of clay artisans and said, it would be imperative to distribute works of preparing clay cups among the artisans of the State as per the demand.
Khadi Board chairman Rajib Bhattacharjee said, “Initiatives have been taken to distribute free clay cups in rail stations and other crowded areas”. He expressed hope if demand for clay cups pick up, commercial production of clay cups would commence which would benefit the artisans.
“In an attempt to encourage the clay artisans, the Board has already taken initiative to distribute equipment and other necessary assistance among them”, Bhattacharjee said.
P.K. Goyal, secretary of Industries and Commerce department, said the use of pottery is tradition of the state and if the use of such products gets increased, it would enrich the tradition.
District Magistrate, West Tripura- Debapriya Bardhan said an initiative has already been taken to raise mass awareness on ‘no use of plastic’ through awareness camps, wall paintings and otherwise.
Director of Industries and Commerce department T.K. Chakma also attended the programme.