CUTTACK: The impact of the floods in Banki, one of the worst affected parts of Cuttack district, among all other things has been particularly severe on the agarbatti (incense sticks) manufacturing activities. With substantial quantity of stock washed away or damaged in the water ingress, the workers of the agarbatti manufacturing cluster have gone without work or pay for the last five days. A major chunk of the women, who are from the lowest and deprived sections, are undergoing serious difficulties. Sadhav Nayak of Malabiharpur under Barhampura panchayat is a glaring example. With an almost infirm husband Sadhav at her side and no children to look up to for support, she is now struggling to make ends meet. The 58-year-old used to earn about ` 25 a day by rolling agarbatti sticks, which was the couple’s only source of earning. Similar stories unfolded across the affected regions in the block, that has gained the reputation as a major agarbatti producer under SHG mode in the country. The produce is all supplied to FMCG major ITC Limited. “Around two tonne worth of agarbattis are estimated to have been lost in the calamity. The foremost job at hand now is to ensure resumption of work at normal pace as quickly as possible to save a whole lot of women from distress conditions,” says chief executive of ORMAS, Cuttack, BB Rout.The flood has affected more than 550 of the 700 women in 15 villages under four panchayats, who have been engaged in full-time agarbatti rolling. The production ranges between 13 and 15 tonne every month. After the women are rolled those are handed over to ITC for fragrance additions and packaging before being marketed across the country. The ORMAS in association with ITC on Wednesday provided relief to the 550 seriously affected women members. As many as 320 packets were distributed, each containing flattened rice, jaggery, biscuits, halazone tablets, ORS powder and matchboxes.
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