Pestle, mortar makers fall on hard times

Hayatnagar: In the era when technology is making everyone's job easy, it has become a curse for pestle and mortar makers. There are hundreds of families which have migrated from other districts in united Andhra Pradesh and settled near Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park. These people's hereditary occupation is to carve pestles and mortars. They have been living in tents here for 10 years now.

These people import granite stone from Amrabad mandal in Andhra Pradesh. "We need to pay tax for the forest department for importing," says Nagarjuna, a mortar maker. They aren't able to meet ends as everyone is opting for electric grinders and mixies which have almost replaced their produces. They express worry stating that they are facing hardships for want of customers.

The cost of a mortar ranges from Rs 100 to Rs 150. The few customers who buy bargain for this amount too. They aren't able to get returns that are equal the monetary investment and hard work they are putting together. They urge government to come to their aid.