Madhya Pradesh Announces ₹139 Crore Bonus for Over 2.1 Million Tendu Leaf Collectors

Bhopal, October 4 (Daily Kiran) : Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced on Sunday that over 2.1 million tendu leaf collectors in Madhya Pradesh will receive a bonus exceeding ₹139 crore. This initiative aims to acknowledge the significant role of tribal communities in forest conservation and management.

During a training and awareness program in Mandla district, which also served as the venue for the bonus distribution, Yadav reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting the rights of tribal families and tendu leaf collectors. He emphasized the importance of honoring their hard work and safeguarding their interests.

In response to local demands, Yadav also announced the opening of government colleges in Mohgaon and Ghughari, the establishment of small forest product processing units under the MSME department in Mandla, and the introduction of a tiger safari zoo to attract domestic and international tourists. Additionally, he mentioned efforts to revive traditional betel leaf farming in the region.

Tendu leaves are a vital source of income for tribal and economically disadvantaged communities, who use them to produce bidis. This supplementary income is crucial for their livelihoods.

Yadav highlighted that 904,126 tendu leaf collectors from eight forest divisions, including Eastern and Western Mandla, Northern and Southern Seoni, and Northern and Southern Balaghat, will receive a bonus of ₹36.17 crore for the year 2024. He also distributed ₹26.56 lakh in timber dividends to nearly 40,000 members of 84 forest committees assisting the forest department in Mandla.

The Chief Minister rewarded Mandla district with approximately ₹460 crore for 74 development projects. This includes the foundation stone laying of 47 projects valued at over ₹263 crore and the inauguration of 27 projects worth over ₹197 crore. Notable initiatives include the construction of 19 government high school buildings, a new integrated collector office, a nursing college building, and a multi-purpose marketing center for tribal communities.

Yadav announced the establishment of dairy cooperatives in Mandla to increase the state’s share in national milk production from 12% to 20%. The event commenced with the worship of goddesses and tributes to historical figures, including Rani Durgavati and Raja Shankar Shah.

Later, he visited the Kisan Kalyan Varsh exhibition and distributed scooters to meritorious students under the Chief Minister’s Scooty Scheme, personally assisting them with helmets and offering blessings for their academic progress.