Odisha CM Announces ₹56 Crore Financial Assistance for Kendu Leaf Pluckers

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday announced a significant boost for kendu leaf pluckers and those involved in the trade of forest produce. Substantial financial assistance of Rs 56 crore has been allocated for this purpose, marking the third phase of support for the 2022 crop year.

Under this phase, 7.75 lakh kendu leaf pluckers will receive a generous 25% bonus, while 40,000 kendu leaf binders and temporary workers will enjoy a 5% incentive, resulting in a total assistance amount of Rs 56.23 crore.

It’s worth noting that earlier in the first and second phases of financial assistance, kendu leaf pluckers received Rs 83.34 crore and Rs 111.21 crore, respectively.

In total, the kendu leaf pluckers and binders will be receiving an unprecedented Rs 250.78 crore in assistance for the year 2022, making it an exceptional record in a single crop year.

The primary beneficiaries of this assistance hail from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities and this support is expected to substantially enhance their overall standard of living.