Chief Minister Raman Singh on Sunday announced to increase the Tendupatta collection rate to `1,500 per standard bag from `1,200 during a State-level Conference of Tendupatta Collectors and Forest Management Committee at Manpur in Rajnandgaon district on Sunday.
Singh said the decision was taken as Tendupatta collection is the source of livelihood for a large number of forest dwellers. The 100 per cent profit earned through the sale of Tendupatta collection will now be distributed among the beneficiaries, he said.
The State Government is running an insurance scheme as well for these Tendupatta collectors, the Chief Minister said. Notably, the Chief Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of various developmental works of around `40 crore at Manpur.
Rajnandgaon MP Abhishek Singh, State Public Works Development Minister Rajesh Munat and State Forest Minister Mahesh Gagda were also present on the occasion.