Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday approved a financial package worth Rs 74.78 crore for the welfare of lakhs of kendu leaf pluckers, binders, and seasonal staff engaged in Odisha’s kendu leaf trade.
The package includes bonus and incentive payments, along with an increase in the procurement rates of kendu leaf bundles.
Under the revised rates, the procurement price of a kerry (a bundle of 20 kendu leaves) in the processing area has been increased by 10 paise, while the rate of a phal (a bundle of 40 kendu leaves) has been raised by 20 paise.
The hike will involve an additional expenditure of Rs 10.78 crore by the State Government.
The Chief Minister has also approved a 25 per cent bonus for kendu leaf pluckers and a 5 per cent incentive for binders and seasonal staff. The State Government will spend Rs 64 crore on these payments.
Overall, the government will incur an expenditure of Rs 74.78 crore, benefiting lakhs of workers associated with kendu leaf collection and processing across the State.
Kendu leaf collection is one of the largest forest-based livelihood activities, providing seasonal employment to a large network of tribal and forest-dependent families, particularly in districts such as Mayurbhanj, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Sundargarh and Balangir.