Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav is set to distribute Rs 115 crore in bonus payments to 36 lakh tendu leaf collectors in a significant state-level event scheduled for Thursday in Karahal, Sheopur district. The bonus is a dividend for their tendu leaf collection efforts for the year 2023.
Alongside the bonus distribution, CM Yadav will also inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for various development projects, further enhancing the region’s infrastructure.
According to an official release, the initiative will benefit 52,305 tendu leaf collectors from 89 minor forest produce committees spread across six forest divisions in the Gwalior and Shivpuri circles, including the Sheopur forest division.
In Sheopur district, 16 minor forest produce cooperative societies, operating under the District Small Forest Produce Cooperative Union Limited Sheopur, will see direct benefits from this initiative. These societies include Sheopur, Nayagaon, Hirapur, Dob, Piprani, Ratodan, Pahela, Ochhapura, Karahal, Patarwada, Khirkhiri, Sensaipura, Goras, Beerpur, Vijaypur, and Gaswani, involving a total of 12,849 tendu leaf collectors.
The tendu leaf collection target for last year was set at 22,490 standard sacks. In 2023, the collection rate was Rs 3,000 per sack. However, in a move to further support the collectors, CM Yadav has announced an increase in the rate to Rs 4,000 per standard sack for 2024.
During the event, the chief minister will also inaugurate 13 development projects valued at Rs 21.28 crore and lay the foundation stone for 188 construction projects worth Rs 16 crore across 80 villages in 63 gram panchayats in the Vijaypur area under the Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana.
Moreover, the foundation stone will be laid for the beautification of Sant Shri Raidas (Regar) Ghat in Ward No. 20 of Sheopur city, at a cost of Rs 30 lakh, and for the installation of a statue and pedestal for former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna awardee Chaudhary Charan Singh in Sheopur, valued at Rs 9 lakh, according to the official release.
(Inputs from ANI)
