Indore first to achieve 100% target of tendu patta collection in the state. Rs 250 lakh & over remuneration for collectors supports rural population of over 68k in corona times & lockdown
Indore first to achieve 100% target, Rs 250 lakh & over remuneration for collectors
In times of covid-19, when even the experienced employed professionals have lost their jobs and businesses are shut down, Tendu Patta collectors employed by forest department are ready to receive their remuneration amounting to over Rs 250 lakhs.
Indore has become the first circle to achieve more than 100% target with all the Divisions achieving well beyond the target!
Tendu Patta collection has been an annual practice over the years. Things have changed with the COVID-19 situation. “It was a tough ask managing the Tendu Patta collectors last year taking all the precautions and following the COVID guidelines in too,” chief conservator of forest HS Mohanta said.
He added that this very activity provides an instant income generation of most of the households in the rural set up.
“Taking a clue from the previous year experience, new guideline were set for Tendu Patta collection,” Mohanta said. He added that quite a few innovations were tried and put in practice.
“Systematic pruning and sustainable plucking of Tendu Patta leaves were the two major focal issues. The result has been quite satisfactory so far,” Mohanta said.
Fortunately all produce from the 28 Committees have been sold in the advance sale, he added. “The purchasers have completed the formalities and ground work has been made, making it all set for the collection tendu patta leaves to commence,” Mohanta said.
Rs 250 lakh wages supporting villagers
“Nearly 250 Lakh rupees distributed as wages towards collection of Tendu Patta leaves,” Mohanta said. He added that the wages shall be distributed to the villagers in cash on a weekly basis.
“This provides them income for managing their day to day needs in these difficult hours. Bonus shall be calculated at the end of the financial season and that will be based on the sale price and profit made therein,” Mohanta said.
Covid-19 guidelines strictly enforced
COVID guidelines shall be followed in too and a set of guidelines have been issued in this regard. “We are trying to phase out the timing of collection at the collection centres to minimise on the crowding at any given point of time,” Mohanta said.
He added that social distancing and sanitisation measures were kept in place. “Supply of masks, sanitisers, Dettol bhand wash are in place at the entrance of the centres,” Mohanta said.
Wage was increased to Rs 2,500
Wage was increased to Rs 2500 per standard bag since last two years. One standard Bag consists of 1000 Gaddis, and each Gaddi consists of 50 tendu patta leaves.
Looking at the previous year’s collection, this year also it seems to be more than 15000. “That means wage distribution could also be to the tune of 375-400 Lakh Rupees,” Mohanta said.
The number of Tendu Patta collectors is on rise and we expect nearly 65000 people to be engaged in the process of earning livelihood in these difficult times.
“We sincerely hope that this very single activity brings in cheer and much needed respite to the rural community in these difficult times,” Mohanta said.
Special squads for monitoring
“Special squads have been formed to ensure that the Tendu Patta of the State of Madhya Pradesh is not taken out to the adjoining States. The squads are monitoring on a round the clock basis.”
HS Mohanta
Chief conservator of forest
In times of covid-19, when even the experienced employed professionals have lost their jobs and businesses are shut down, Tendu Patta collectors employed by forest department are ready to receive their remuneration amounting to over Rs 250 lakhs.
Indore has become the first circle to achieve more than 100% target with all the Divisions achieving well beyond the target!
Tendu Patta collection has been an annual practice over the years. Things have changed with the COVID-19 situation. “It was a tough ask managing the Tendu Patta collectors last year taking all the precautions and following the COVID guidelines in too,” chief conservator of forest HS Mohanta said.
He added that this very activity provides an instant income generation of most of the households in the rural set up.
“Taking a clue from the previous year experience, new guideline were set for Tendu Patta collection,” Mohanta said. He added that quite a few innovations were tried and put in practice.
“Systematic pruning and sustainable plucking of Tendu Patta leaves were the two major focal issues. The result has been quite satisfactory so far,” Mohanta said.
Fortunately all produce from the 28 Committees have been sold in the advance sale, he added. “The purchasers have completed the formalities and ground work has been made, making it all set for the collection tendu patta leaves to commence,” Mohanta said.
Rs 250 lakh wages supporting villagers
“Nearly 250 Lakh rupees distributed as wages towards collection of Tendu Patta leaves,” Mohanta said. He added that the wages shall be distributed to the villagers in cash on a weekly basis.
“This provides them income for managing their day to day needs in these difficult hours. Bonus shall be calculated at the end of the financial season and that will be based on the sale price and profit made therein,” Mohanta said.
Covid-19 guidelines strictly enforced
COVID guidelines shall be followed in too and a set of guidelines have been issued in this regard. “We are trying to phase out the timing of collection at the collection centres to minimise on the crowding at any given point of time,” Mohanta said.
He added that social distancing and sanitisation measures were kept in place. “Supply of masks, sanitisers, Dettol bhand wash are in place at the entrance of the centres,” Mohanta said.
Wage was increased to Rs 2,500
Wage was increased to Rs 2500 per standard bag since last two years. One standard Bag consists of 1000 Gaddis, and each Gaddi consists of 50 tendu patta leaves.
Looking at the previous year’s collection, this year also it seems to be more than 15000. “That means wage distribution could also be to the tune of 375-400 Lakh Rupees,” Mohanta said.
The number of Tendu Patta collectors is on rise and we expect nearly 65000 people to be engaged in the process of earning livelihood in these difficult times.
“We sincerely hope that this very single activity brings in cheer and much needed respite to the rural community in these difficult times,” Mohanta said.
Special squads for monitoring
“Special squads have been formed to ensure that the Tendu Patta of the State of Madhya Pradesh is not taken out to the adjoining States. The squads are monitoring on a round the clock basis.”
HS Mohanta
Chief conservator of forest