Bhubaneswar: Kendu leaf pluckers and workers today expressed their gratitude to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for the recently announced package by the State Government for the welfare of the kendu leaf pluckers and other persons engaged in the trade.
The kendu leaf pluckers met the Chief Minister at Naveen Niwas to express their gratitude to the CM.
Recently, the Chief Minister announced a special package for the welfare of 8 lakh Kendu leaf pluckers and other workers persons engaged in kendu leaf trade.
As per the announcement, Rs 1,000 has been provided to each kendu plucker and Rs 1,500 to each seasonal staff and binders in the first phase.
All Kendu leaf pluckers and employees will be issued identity cards and included in Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana. Stipend will be given to the children of Kendu leaf pluckers and other employees. Besides, meritorious students will be awarded at the district level.
Gratuity payment for circle and binding checkers will be increased from seven days to 15 days, the CM announced.
Odisha is the first state in the country to give bonus to kendu leaf pluckers.