Naveen Announces 50% Increase In Bonus For Kendu Leaf Pluckers

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has announced financial incentives for kendu leaf pluckers, binders and seasonal workers in Odisha.

According to a release from chief minister’s office (CMO) on Sunday, the kendu leaf pluckers will be paid 50% bonus for the current season. The bonus, which is two times more than the last year, will be deposited in their bank accounts.

Similarly, the kendu leaf binders and seasonal workers engaged in the trade have been sanctioned 10% incentive. Besides, the workers would be given work for extra one months during the season. Around 9 lakh persons engaged in kendu leaf trade will benefit from the incentives.

The chief minister also announced increase in price of the kendu leaf during procurement. The price of a packet of 20 kendu leaves has been increased from Rs 1.40 to Rs 1.60 and that of 20 leave from Rs 2.80 to Rs 3.20.

Besides, the state government has approved the proposal to incentives for kendu leaf workers. While their TA and cycle allowance have been increased to 50%, their maximum age for availing social security benefits has been raised from 60 to 62, the release stated.

The government will also pay an assistance of Rs 25,000 for marriage of the daughter of kendu leaf workers. The assistance will be paid to each of two daughters of the workers. It will come into effect from the season starting from April.

5T chairman VK Pandian informed about the chief minister’s announcement at a public meeting in Rairakhol of Sambalpur district on Sunday.