The government allotted Rs. 6.25 lakhs for the study. But after that no funds were allotted to complete the study.
The Karnataka State Potter Welfare Association has demanded that the government release the funds needed to complete the Kannada University study on potter castes.
Nagaraj, General Secretary of Karnataka State Potter Welfare Association said in a press conference that the study would help identify the sub-castes among potters in the state. This would then help them in getting recognition as well as any benefits that the government might announce.
The government had allotted Rs. 6.25 lakhs to conduct the study, but the money was not enough. So far the study has identified 18 sub-castes.
Nagaraj said, “Roughly there are ten lakh potters but the exact number will be confirmed only after the study is complete.”
He said that the study was also being delayed because potters were not cooperating. He hoped to spread awareness about the study to potters in rural areas, too.
Metry K M, professor from the Department of Tribal Studies in Kannada University, who is in charge of the study said that it would help the community improve their economic status if the government took any measures after the study was completed.
