The work of distribution of bonus to families of around 13.77 lakh tendu patta collectors have commenced alongwith the 6,100 kms marathon Vikas Yatra of Chief Minister Raman Singh currently underway in the State.
The collection of tendu patta popularly known as ‘green gold’ which is a seasonal activity is an additional income for the collectors of the leaves, according to an official statement.
The State Government during 2012, apart from paying the wages for the collection of tendu patta, also decided to pay a bonus to the collectors. As a result the drive of distributing bonus amounting to Rs311.70 crore had already commenced during 2012 to the tendu patta collectors.
The tendu patta collector families are included as members of the primary small forest produce co-operative committees. The State Government for the year 2012 is paying 80 per cent bonus as ‘encouragement’ to the committees for collection and trade of tendu patta.
It may be mentioned that during 2003, the wages for the tendu patta collectors was Rs230 per standard bag. During 2011, after Chief Minister Raman Singh recognised the effort put up by the tendu patta collectors, consistently raised the amount given per standard bag of tendu patta.
As a result, in 2011, the amount paid per standard bag was raised to Rs800 which was Rs1,100 in 2012 and Rs1200 in 2013. During 2012, the State received 17 lakh standard bags of tendu patta against the estimated target of 16.39 lakh. This apart, the State Government during 2011, paid an estimated Rs154.85 crore as bonus to the tendu patta collectors.
The tendu patta collectors currently are receiving the bonus amount at the hands of Chief Minister Raman Singh during the course of the Vikas Yatra. The bonus is also being distributed at the level of Cabinet Ministers, Chiefs of Zila Panchayats, MPs, MlAs and district level Forest Produce federations to the tendu patta collectors. In Raipur, the managing directors of district forest produce co-operative federations in all 32 forest circles were issued circulars by the headquarters of the Chhattisgarh State Small Forest Produce (Trade and Development) o-operative Federation located in Raipur.
Every forest circle has its own District Small Forest Produce Co-operative Federation with which the primary forest produce co-operative committees are linked.