Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the distribution of Tendu leaf bonus to the pluckers for year 2018 through single click at Mantralaya today. An amount of Rs 184 will be paid to them. A sum of Rs 12.82 crore was paid to 11 societies of East Mandla Forest Circle on Saturday. Remaining pluckers will receive the amount through societies.
Chohan interacted with Tendu leaf pluckers through videoconferencing. Principal Secretary, Forests Ashok Varnwal and PCCF were also present on the occasion.The Chief Minister said that the State Government has increased the price of different forest produces 19 to 53 per cent with a view to increasing the income of tribal people, so that they can get relief in this time of crisis.
The Government is collecting Vanopaj through Laghu Vanopaj Sangh on MSP. Besides, works are being carried out on a large scale under MNREGA in all areas to provide employment to everyone.
The Chief Minister said that after increasing the MSP on Mahua flowers the State Government has purchased about 1.25 lakh quintal flowers at price higher than the fixed by Laghu Vanopaj Sangh and traders, which will fetch an income of over Rs 50 crore to the pluckers on end of season.
Chief Minister Chouhan said that cash payment of Rs 26.38 crore has been made to Tendu leaf pluckers against collection of 9.74 lakh standard bags through 32 lakh pluckers of about 11 lakh families. Tendu leaf collection rate is Rs 250 per 100 standard bags in the State.
This year 16.29 lakh standard bags of Tendu leaf is proposed against which Rs 400 crore will be distributed to the pluckers. By now, 9.05 lakh standard bags of tendu leaf have been collected.A plucker from North Balaghat district Vimla Uike, addressing the CM as Mamaji said that aapke dwara di gai sari aur paani ki kuppi abhi bhi chal rahi hai.
Chouhan said that now he has become CM again and would take good care of all. He said that their area is intact by Corona and asked them to take all precautionary measures to keep virus out of their area.
Chief Minister Chouhan informed that the State Government is implementing Mukhya Mantri Tendupatta Sangrahak Yojana under which a sum of Rs 10,000 is provided to the kin on normal death of a plucker, Rs 20,000 on partial disability, Rs 50 thousand on total disability and Rs 2 lakh in case of an accidental death.
A sum of over Rs 4 crore has been paid to the affected people under it. Chief Minister Chouhan informed that Eklavy Shikha Yojana is being implemented to provide better education to tribal children.
Under this an amount of Rs 12,000 to Rs 50,000 is given per annum to the students of class 9 to Graduation. So far, 2200 students have been paid Rs 2.32 crore.
