Bhubaneswar, Jan 28: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has announced a slew of sops for Kendu leaf pluckers, binders and seasonal staff and said his government was committed to the development and welfare of Kendu leaf pluckers, binders and seasonal staff.
In its bid to ensure welfare of these people, the State Government will disburse 25 per cent dividends and special additional dividends of 25 per cents for drought-hit areas for the year 2015, he said adding, “This will benefit 7.90 lakh pluckers.”
The Chief Minister further said that for the first time, an incentive award at the rate of 10 percent of monthly wages shall be paid to the seasonal staff which will benefit 18000 seasonal staff while Incentive award at the rate of 10 percent of their total wages shall be disbursed to the binders to benefit 20,000 persons.
Funds to the tune of Rupees 5 crores to Welfare Trust of Kendu Leaf Pluckers and Binders, and similarly Rs 1 crore to the Welfare Trust of seasonal staff shall be made available for undertaking their respective mandates, he announced.
Procurement price of Kendu leaves shall be fixed at 70 paise per Kerry in process area and at Rs.1.40 in Phal area for 2016 crop year, he said.
