The collection of Tendu Patta (Tendu leaf) — popularly termed as the ‘green gold of forest’, which provides seasonal employment to about 13 lakh families in Chhattisgarh has already begun in the State.
These families are registered members of more than 900 primary forest produce cooperative societies.
Chief Conservator of Forest (CCF) AK Singh on Tuesday said that like previous year, this year also, the State Government is paying wages to the labourers for Tendu Patta collection work at the rate of Rs1,200 per standard bag.
The collection of Tendu Patta started in the last week of previous month and till date, 3.55 lakh standard bags of Tendu Patta have been collected at the storage centres of societies under various forest circles of the State.
Chief Minister Raman Singh has instructed the officials concerned to conduct the entire process of Tendu Patta procurement smoothly and systematically.
Chief Secretary Vivek Dhand has already issued directives in this regard to all divisional commissioners, district collectors and forest officials, through video conferencing recently organised at the Mantralaya in Naya Raipur.
The Chief Secretary has also issued a circular in this context to all the district collectors and forest officials concerned. It is stated in the circular that Tendu Patta collection work is of great economic significance for the poor forest dweller families.
District Small Forest Produce Associations, Forest Department as well as District Administrations concerned have been entrusted with the responsibility to conduct the Tendu Patta collection process in a systematic manner.
Dhand further stated in the circular that the families engaged in Tendu Patta collection work shall be paid wages either through cheques (as per the availability of banks) or by direct cash transfer to their bank accounts.
In case of unavailability of banks, the wage payments shall be done under the supervision of committees formed for this particular purpose. Wage payment should not be delayed, he directed. The Chief Secretary has instructed the district collectors to take meetings of bank officials and ensure systematic arrangements for the aforementioned purpose.
He has stated that wage payment for Tendu Patta collection and Sal seed collection is included under Chhattisgarh Public Service Guarantee Act 2011. In the circular, all the Additional Chief Conservators of Forest and Chief Conservator of Forest have been instructed to visit as many areas as they can and inspect the storage centres and warehouses there.
Dhand has also stated in the circular that for systematic operation of collection work, the department officials should be given the appropriate responsibilities of Custodian, Zonal Officer etc and their regular attendance on duty at storage centres should be ensured.
The officials of Revenue and Forest Departments should constantly monitor the storage centres of their respective work areas. The Chief Secretary has further stated in the circular that the collection work should be continued until the inflow of good quality Tendu Patta continues, so that the labourers may get maximum amount as wages and bonus.
Dhand has insisted that the officials to maintain the quality of Tendu Patta collected and ensure standard quantity in each bundle. The Chief Secretary has also instructed to control the illegal collection and transportation from storage centres.
He said that the illegal procurement of Tendu Patta not only causes loss in tax revenue to the State Government but also deprives the labourers from the bonus they are otherwise entitled to.
Dhand insisted on the need of constant monitoring of the Tendu Patta collection process at all levels, especially in the areas of Sukma, Bijapur, Mahasamund and other areas under District Forest Produce Associations.
He said that the officials of various departments should necessarily inspect the storage centres located in remote areas and ensure timely delivery of quality stock. To avoid the loss caused due to delay in transportation of collected Tendu Patta stock, the government-owned trucks should also be deployed for timely transportation of the stock.
To stop illegal collection, five per cent bags in each warehouse should be checked by team of officials from various departments. Bigger centers like Rajnandgaon, Bagbahara, Kharsiya and Bilaspur should be particularly checked.
The Chief Secretary has instructed Director General of Police (DGP) to take precautionary measures in the sensitive areas to ensure uninterrupted and systematic collection of Tendu Patta in the State.