Bhubaneswar (SunstarTV Bureau): Being concerned about the welfare of kendu leaf pluckers and other workers associated with the same procession, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Pattnaik has announced financial assistance of Rs 92.37 crore.
“The total amount of Rs 59.78 crore will be disbursed as a bonus,” Odisha CM said.
The announcement was made on Monday shortly after reviewing the situation mostly the tribals who are involved in kendu leaf activities.
“An ex-gratia amount, in case of death or permanent disability of a Kendu leaf worker, would be increased to Rs 2 Lakh from Rs 1 Lakh,” announced CM.
Notably, amid the Coronavirus scare, more than 7 lakhs kendu leaf pluckers along with 18,223 binders and 16,533 casual workers have been benefited. Besides, more than 60 lakh man-days were also created by the government.
Kendu leaves are used to make beedis. Since 2014, the State government has been enrolling provision for giving the bonus to the people engaged in Kendu leaf trade, which comes from the profit made.
