Kendu leaf purchase, sale deregulated

The State Forest and Environment Department deregulated the purchase and sale of kendu leaf (Kl) in Nabarangpur district. Now instead of the Odisha Forest Development Corporation (OFDC), the Gram panchayat would be the nodal agency to regulate the purchase and sell of the product. Notably, this has been done for the first time in the State and if it is found to be a success, the same would be extended to other districts.

At a function held here, State Forest and Environment Minister Bijayshree Routroy made the formal announcement of the decision and handed over the charge to the Panchayati Raj Department. He said that from now onwards, the Gram Panchayat would regulate all the affairs, while the transit permit for transport of the Kl would be given by Gram Sabha. The Gram Panchayat would directly procure and sell the Kl and keep the profit with it in order to be used for various development works under its jurisdiction.

Presided over by the Nabarangpur District Collector, the meeting was attended by Panchayati Raj Minister Kalpataru Das, SC and ST Development Minister lalbihari Himirka, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Ramesh Chandra Majhi, MlAs Monohar Randhari, Bhujabal Majhi, Subash Gond and Nabarangpur MP Pradip Majhi.