nChhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Wednesday unveiled a litany of benefits to ‘Manjhi-Chalki’ along with other functionaries linked to Bastar Dussehra at the ‘Muria Darbar’.

Baghel made around 20 announcements on the occasion, an official communication stated.

These included forest rights title to all Manjhi-Chalki within six months after acceptance of application, hike in honorarium of Manjhi from `1,350 to `2,000 per month, Chalki from `675 to `1,000, executive members' honorarium increased from `1,000 to `1,100 and those of ordinary members to `1500 annually. The 21 priests will now get `3,500, up from `3,000.

Similarly,  ‘Gurumay’ and ‘Bhandardevi’ priest, ‘Munda Baaja’ player, ‘Mohari Baaja’ player and seven members who conduct rituals will get an annual honorarium of `1,500. Those conducting ‘Jogi Bithai’ will get `11,000 and the team involved in making the ‘rath’ (car) will get `21,000, the announcement said.

The vacant posts of Majhi-Chalki will be filled within six months and the upgrading of ‘Manjhi Bhavan’ based at Jagdalpur and the demands of ‘Chalki’ will be considered within six months, said Baghel.

The Chief Minister said ‘Bastar Dussehra’ is world renowned for being celebrated for the longest period, for around two-and-a-half months, and even foreigners witness the unfolding events.

Recalling the tribal revolts since 1824, the Chief Minister said Bastar has played a key role in the country's independence movement. ‘Muria Darbar’, apart from holding Dussehra, discusses the progress of tribal society.

Baghel appreciated the effort of planting trees against the cutting of trees for        construction of the ‘rath’.

He unveiled a portrait of ‘Jhanda Manjhi’ and felicitated with citations all the key persons for holding the Dussehra events. Bastar’s royal family member Kamalchand Bhanjdeo was present.