After the apathy of bidders in the beginning of the season, the Tendu leaf collection suffered yet another jolt midway as Maoist insurgents started demanding better price for every standard sack of it bringing the exercise to naught, thanks to their terror reigning supreme throughout the forested regions of Chhattisgarh – Sukma, Bijapur, Dantewada, Narayanpur among other districts.
According to sources, area commanders of Maoist organisations operating in these districts have reportedly set the wage for collection of each standard sack of Tendu leaf at `1500 in stead of `1200 paid by the Government at present and also sounded a warning to face the consequences if any one dared to defy the diktat. The Maoists have reportedly declared that unless the State Government accepts the price set by them, they would not allow collection of the Tendu leaf.
According to Sanjita Gupta, executive director, State Minor forest produce department, after the ultimatum of Maoists, Tendu leaf collectors have stopped the work fearing onslaught by rebels.
She said that only this year the administration has increased the remuneration for collection of Tendu leaf from `1100 per standard sack to `1200. Besides, the department also providing other benefits to the tendu leaf collectors, the official added.
According to department officials, this year the Minor forest produce department had set the target of collecting 16, 43,800 standard sacks of Tendu leaf this season.
Out of that, 13 lakh standard sack of Tendu leaf have already been procured while collection of the rest quantity has been caught in controversy after the ultimatum of the Maoists.