Jagannatha Puri carpenters protest
Jagannath Chariot Makers on Warpath

BY: SUN STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Jun 01, 2010 — JAGANNATHA PURI, ORISSA — The carpenters engaged in the making of giant wooden chariots for Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra for the forthcoming Rath Yatra have threatened to go on ceasework agitation if the Jagannath Temple administration does not hike their daily incentive in an attractive manner.

The traditional carpenters have asked the shrine authorities to iron out the problem by June 4, failing which they would resort to a strike from June 5th. The world famous Rath Yatra is on July 13th.

Even though the construction of the chariots started on May 16th, resentment is fast brewing among the chariot makers over the poor payment procedure.

"Last year, we had received Rs 120 per day. But this year the temple authorities hiked it to Rs 132 per day. The hike is very low. We cannot work in such a poor payment. The incentive should be Rs 200 at least per day," Nrushingha Maharana, a carpenter said.

The unhappy carpenters, who have been rendering service during Rath Yatra for years, had met the temple officials last week and handed over a memorandum demanding better payment.

Sources said that seventy-five carpenters are engaged every year for the construction of chariots. The carpenters toil day in day out for nearly two months to make the iconic carts for the presiding Sibling Deities of 12th century shrine. While the height of Lord Balabhadra's chariot will be 45 feet, the chariots of Lord Jagannath and Devi Subhadra stand at 45.6 feet and 44.6 feet, respectively.

Most of the carpenters grumbled that they could earn more than Rs 200 per day if they work elsewhere.

"We work here for two months only. During rest of the year most of us work outside and make good income. But here, we are paid a pittance," Balaram Mohapatra, another carpenter said.

Jagannath temple's public relations officer, Laxmidhar Pujapanda said, "We increased the carpenters' payment to Rs 132 per day from Rs 120. Besides, unlike the past year the carpenters will get more prize money after the Rath Yatra this year. They will receive nearly Rs 30,000 prize money as against Rs 24,000 last year."