Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today announced a financial aid of Rs 56 crore for the Kendu leaf pluckers and binders of the state. The financial aid is for the third phase of the 2022 crop year. More than 8 lakh beneficiaries including Kendu leaf pluckers and binders will benefit from this. This bonus and incentive will be available to the beneficiaries in July 2023.
As per information, 25 percent bonus will be given to 7 lakh 75 thousand Kendu leaf pluckers and binders and another 5 percent incentive amount to another 40 thousand beneficiaries totaling to Rs 56.23 crore. In the first phase of the 2022 crop year, Rs 1000 was given to each Kendu Leaf Plucker and Rs 1500 to each binder and temporary worker.
Similarly, in the second phase of the 2022 crop year, Rs 1000 was given to 7.75 lakh kendu leaf pluckers on the state. In addition, Rs 200 for water bottles and Rs 160 for sandals were given to each kendu leaf plucker. About 40,000 kendu leaf binders and temporary workers were also given an amount of Rs 1500 each, totaling Rs 111.21 crore.
The total amount of assistance given to the kendu leaf pluckers and binders for the year 2022 including bonus, incentive amount, and financial assistance will be Rs 250.78 crore which is an all-time record in a single crop year.