Hundreds of Kendu leaf workers, including women, on Thursday staged a demonstration in front of the Revenue Divisional Commissioner’ office here, demanding reduction of GST from the kendu leaf and reintroduction of scholarship for the workers’ children.
Kendu leaf workers from 10 districts of western Odisha participated in the demonstration and warned that both the Union and the State governments would face serious consequences in the next general elections if they fail to fulfill their longstanding demands.
The meeting presided over by Odisha Kendu Laf Workers’ Union president and BJD leader Bijoy Mohanaty strongly criticized the State Government for not fulfilling their demands despite repeated agitations. They submitted a 11-point charter of demands, addressed to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, to the Additional Secretary of the RDC Bikash Chandra Ben.
“Implementation of GST is increasing the prices of the kendu leaf and making the whole issue complicated .We have been demanding reduction of GST for the interest of the backward and tribal workers involved in the trade but nobody is listening to our demands,” Mohanty said.
Stating that the State has been getting annual profit of more than Rs 200 crore, Mohanty said the State Government has directed to stop giving stipend to the children of the kendu leaf workers. More than 40,000 children will be affected by this decision, he lamented.
He warned that kendu leaf workers would stage a ‘Rasta Roko’ for four hours in different parts of the State on March 1 if demands are not met by then.
Leaders of the various trade unions were present.