Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday wrote to Union Finance Minister and Chairperson of GST Council Nirmala Sitharaman demanding withdrawal of GST on kendu (tendu) leaves.
The Chief Minister said that kendu leaf, a Minor Forest Produce (MFP) is the financial backbone of about 8 lakhs kendu (tendu) leaf pluckers, binders & seasonal workers of Odisha and mostly belong to the tribal community and poorest of the poor of the society. The tribal people collect the leaves as part of their right defined under Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006. They have the right to procure and sell these products.
Imposition of GST (18%) on kendu (tendu) leaves is adversely affecting the kendu leaves trade. This in turn affects the livelihoods of kendu leaves pluckers, binders & seasonal workers and implementation of social security and welfare schemes for them, the CM mentioned in the letter.
In the interest of livelihoods of the Kendu leaves dependent community it is urged upon to withdraw the imposition of GST on Kendu leaves for the greater interest of Odisha, Naveen insisted.
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