Madhya Pradesh: Government eyes openers to mop up revenue

BHOPAL: The state has now decided to sell designer bottle openers for liquor and soft drinks bottles as an attempt to balance the revenues during coronavirus crisis.
Using bell metal, the state’s handicrafts department, for the first time, is making bottle openers. It comes after the handloom department started offering designer face masks.
Officials said, tribal population in Betul district of the state is expert in bell art.They have been roped in to make the bottle openers.
Production of these has already started and the products are available in stores and can be ordered online as well, said officials. He added that earlier such items were made as showpieces, but now the focus is make them for daily use as well. MP handicrafts and handloom commissioner Rajeev Sharma said, there is no demand of handicrafts in the lockdown.
Instead of sitting and waiting for the corona crisis to get over it was decided to shift onto the products that would remain in demand, especially among youngsters.
The bottle openers being made by the artistes are designer as well as durable for daily use. And will be priced between Rs 200 to Rs 250.
The bottle openers are available at Mrignayanee emporium on Hamidia Road in Bhopal and can also be purchased online. Bottle openers are not just used for opening beer bottles, but also in uncorking other non alcoholic drinks, he added. Earlier, the government started production of designer masks using fabrics of Chanderi, Maheshwar and Bagh print, offering safety with style.