Odisha: Kendu leaf pluckers to get Rs 25,000 aid for daughters’ wedding

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today announced a host of measures for the welfare of Kendu leaf pluckers and other persons engaged in the sector.

According to the Chief Minister, the Kendu leaf pluckers will be provided 50 per cent bonus in the ongoing crop season. The amount will be provided to the Kendu leaf pluckers through direct benefit transfer (DBT) method.

The binders and seasonal staff of Kendu leaf sector will also get 10 per cent incentives. The seasonal employees are entitled to one more months of employment, said the Chief Minister.

The state government has also hiked the price of Kendu leaves in Odisha. The price of a bundle of 20 Kendu leaves has been hiked from Rs 1.40 to Rs 1.60 while the same for a bundle of 40 leaves has been raised to Rs 3.20 from Rs 2.80, said the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) in a statement today.

The state government has also accepted a proposal for revision of wages for the seasonal staff of Kendu leaf sector. Besides, the travelling and cycle allowances for the seasonal employees have been hiked by 50 per cent. Now, Kendu leaf pluckers can avail the social security measures till 62 years of age, added the CMO.

“The state government will provide financial assistance of Rs 25,000 for the wedding of daughters of Kendu leaf pluckers during the upcoming crop season. Each plucker can avail the benefits for the wedding of at best two daughters,” said the CMO.

As many as 9 lakh Kendu leaf pluckers, binders and seasonal employees will be benefitted by the welfare measures announced by the Chief Minister. The state government will spend around Rs 150 crore for this purpose, added the CMO.