The laghu Vanopaj Sangh (Small Forest Produce Federation) will float tenders for auction of remaining Tendu leaves in the insurgency infested regions of Sukma, Dantewada and Jagdalpur district of Bastar.
According to sources, auction of about 200 out of total 950 lots of Tendu leaves could not be done. The laghu Vanopaj Sangh had now gone for online tender for the auction of the lots. The lots, which have not been auctioned, are of Jagadalpur, Sukma and Dantewada forests.
It was said that the laghu Vanopaj Sangh has fixed the rate of Tendu leaves at Rs 1,700 per standard bag. last year the rate was Rs 1,650 per standard bag. This time the rate has been increased by Rs50, even though there is no increase in the labour rate.
According to people linked with Tendu leaf trade, there is slackness in the Tendu leaves business across the country. Rate in other States has been decreased. This situation has arisen because of record production and non-lifting of the product in proportion to the produce. As the rate of Tendu leaves is not proper, expectation for bonus to tribal people is also less.
last year about 80 lots could not be sold. Auction of the old leaves has been done this year. The Tendu leaves of Bastar is considered as of better quality. It is in demand in other states also. Traders consider the higher tender rate of Tendu leaves as impractical. They say, as the rate is less in other states, the same should be maintained here also. Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Gujarat and Rajasthan are the states where tendupatta is produced.
Meanwhile, according sources, sale of most of the lots has been done in auction. Only 150 lots remain, sale of which is expected in the next tender.