BJD Raises Kendu Leaf Issue In Rajya Sabha, Demands Withdrawal Of 18% GST

Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Monday demanded steps by the Centre for withdrawal of 18 per cent GST on Kendu Leaf.

Making the demand through a special mention in Rajya Sabha, BJD MP Sasmit Patra said Kendu leaf is the financial backbone of about 10 lakhs pluckers, binders and seasonal workers of Odisha, mostly tribal mothers and sisters.

The tribal people collect the leaves as part of their right defined under Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006. They have the right to procure and sell these products, he said.

Imposition of GST (18%) on Kendu leaves is adversely affecting the Kendu leaves trade which in turn affects the livelihoods of Kendu leaves pluckers, binders and seasonal workers and implementation of social security and welfare measures for them.

In the interest of the livelihoods of the Kendu leaves dependent community, it is urged upon Government of India to withdraw the imposition of GST on Kendu leaves in greater interest of the tribals in Odisha, Patra said.

He further said that the then Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had written to Centre on November 25, 2022 requesting for withdrawal of imposition of GST on Kendu leaves. In the 48th GST Council meeting held on December 17, 2022 Odisha’s then Finance Minister had also raised the demand for exemption of Goods and Services Tax (GST) on Kendu leaf.

The withdrawal of GST on Kendu leaf will strengthen and empower about 10 lakh tribal mothers and sisters, he added.