The Odisha government distributed Rs 43 crore in aid to kendu leaf pluckers, binders, and seasonal workers on Sunday.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik wrote to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday, urging the Centre to remove the 18% GST on kendu leaf trade because it is linked to poor people’s livelihood.
The funds were distributed at a function as part of the state government’s special package for poor kendu leaf traders.
An official statement said that as part of the package, Rs 1,000 was given to each kendu leaf plucker and Rs 1,500 to each seasonal staff and binders in the first phase as an interim measure.
Kendu leaf is used to wrap bidis and is a significant forest produce on which approximately 8 lakh people rely for a living.
Though people from 12 districts received assistance, those from Baragarh will receive it once the Model Code of Conduct imposed for the December 5 bypoll to Padampur assembly constituency is lifted, according to Patnaik.
The assistance was directly transferred to the beneficiaries’ bank accounts.
“Happiness of the poor gives me joy. I have always been with the poor people and I will continue to endeavour for their welfare,” said CM Naveen Patnaik.
Prasanta Patnaik