Boyanika staff show a product at its new kiosk in the Assembly on Wednesday. Picture by Sanjib Mukherjee

Bhubaneswar, Aug. 21: The state government has allowed Boyanika, the state handloom weavers’ co-operative society, to open a kiosk on the Assembly premises for its members.

The society, which had opened an outlet at the Bhubaneswar airport last month, is now eyeing customers in the Assembly.

However, the decision to open the kiosk on the premises when the monsoon session is under way has raised eyebrows in the political circles, while causing murmurs also in the police administration.

State handloom and handicrafts minister Sarojini Hembram said: “The main objective of opening the kiosk is to create awareness among members of the Assembly about the importance of handloom products from Odia artisans.”

The minister said the department decided to open the counter during the monsoon session as all the MLAs would be available at one place. “One can not reach out to them at other times of the year.”

To promote handloom products, the department has also asked its staff members to wear Boyanika clothes every Friday.

The temporary counter has been opened at the entrance to the library of the Assembly.

“We gave the department permission after they requested us to open a kiosk,” said an official of the Assembly secretariat.

On the other hand, the security staff of the Assembly remained tight-lipped on the issue even though they were not happy.

“It is an official decision. We cannot comment on this. But, the Assembly secretariat, as well as the state government, should think twice while allowing any institution to open its kiosk inside the Assembly,” said an official.

On the other hand, the move has not gone down well with some members of the Assembly.

“The Assembly is considered the temple of democracy. No commercial activity should be allowed inside it. Once you allow one institution, other institutions will also ask for permission to open their counters. It will turn into a place for commercial activity. It will lose its significance,” said Congress MLA Santosh Singh Saluja.

The kiosk exhibits all kinds of products, including saree, dhoti, joda, stoles, scarves, menswear, bedsheets, lungi, napkin and kurtas.

“Sarees ranging from Rs 800 to Rs 6,000 are available at the kiosk. Besides kurtas, menswear are also available at a price of Rs 600 to Rs 2,000. Bedsheets in the range of Rs 800 to Rs 16,000 have also been displayed at the kiosk,” said an official of Boyanika.

Boyanika is also giving 20 per cent discount on its products to attract high-end customers.