Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government on Wednesday announced financial package for kendu leaf pluckers and associated staff of the State.
Chief Minister Naveen Pastnaik has announced Rs 1000 for each plucker and Rs 1500 for each seasonal staff. The amount will be given in first phase.
The pluckers and other workers associated with the work will be brought under Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, a statement issued by the CMO said.
The government has also decided to give scholarship to the children of the pluckers and others. Besides, the meritorious students will be felicitated at district level, the release read.
The government also declared to increase the gratuity payment days from seven days to 15 days of circle checkers and binding staff.
All the pluckers will be provided with identity card, the CMO stated.
Through the statement, the CM said that he has been demanding waiver of GST on kendu leaf as the Centre has imposed 18% tax, which is too high for poor people.
In April, the government had announced a bonus of Rs 120 crore for the welfare of Kendu leaf pluckers of the state, benefiting around 8 lakh Kendu leaf pluckers, binders, and other seasonal staff associated with the work.
Apart from this, the government had also increased the collection price of Kendu leaves for 2022, which will help 7.50 lakh people, mostly tribal women, to earn an additional income of Rs 240 crore, the statement said.
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