Tripura: Incense stick-makers face challenges

Agartala, May 28: Poor stick makers of Tripura are now facing challenges from China and Vietnam.

Official records here suggest that over three lakh people in the state especially in Dhalai and North Tripura districts were dependent on making incense sticks from bamboo.

Incense Stick Suppliers Association's secretary Ajit Ghosh today told UNI that the Bangalore-based incense stick-making industries were mostly dependant on bamboo sticks supplied from Tripura.

But, the pitiful condition of the stick-makers still persists since most of them earn only Rs 20 to 30 per day, Mr Ghosh said.

He said the stick-makers could manufacture about 15 kg sticks per day. The traders purchased the sticks at Rs 8.50 per kg. The manufacturer hardly had anything in hand to save as profit.

''The trend of globalisation and liberalisation has made things tough for us,'' Mr Ghosh said, adding that, presently, the biggest threat to these stick makers is the quality provided by Myanmar.

Moreover, China and Vietnam are also providing good quality incense sticks due to which the local manufacturers are losing ground, he stated.

UNI