Naveen Keeps His Promise, Releases Financial Assistance For Kendu Leaf Pluckers, Binders and Other Seasonal Workers

Bhubaneswar: As promised earlier, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today released the financial assistance to the Kendu leaf pluckers and other seasonal workers.

As part of the interim financial assistance, the Kendu leaf pluckers will receive Rs 1000 each and the binders and seasonal workers will receive Rs 1500 each. The financial assistance has been deposited with the bank accounts of the beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer.

In total, Rs 43 crore has been transferred to the accounts of the beneficiaries. The Chief Minister released the financial assistance here at a special program organized.

Speaking on the occasion, Naveen said that the happiness of the poor people is his greatest happiness. He has always been with the poor people and will continue to work for their welfare. He also announced that the beneficiaries of Bargarh district will receive the assistance after the lifting of the Model Code of Conduct that is imposed for the Padampur by-polls.

The Chief Minister once again reiterated his demand to the Center for withdrawal of 18 percent GST from Kendu leaf. Kendu leaf is poor man’s livelihood, he said. Beneficiaries from the 17 Divisions of 12 districts – Nuapada, Kalahandi, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Anugul, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Kandhamal, Boudh, Keonjhar, Deogarh and Bolangir received the assistance today. The Chief Minister also interacted with some of the beneficiaries from Bolangir, Nuapada and Jharsuguda and discussed about the financial assistance. They thanked the Chief Minister for this assistance.