The Hindu : M.P. directive on payment of wages

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Friday, Jan 23, 2004

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M.P. directive on payment of wages

By Our Staff Correspondent

BHOPAL, JAN. 22 .Under the Madhya Pradesh Government's revised tendu leaf policy, directions have been issued to maintain full transparency in the payment of wages to tendu leaf pluckers through the Primary Forest Produce Cooperative Societies.

It has now been decided that members of the forest produce primary societies and `van samitis' would also be involved in the pruning operations besides the regular tendu leaf collection work. This was decided at the 60th meeting of the board of directors of the Madhya Pradesh State Minor Forest Produce Federation (Laghu Vanopaj Sangh) chaired by the State Forest Minister, Dhal Singh Bisen on Wednesday.

The State Forest Minister directed that tendu leaf pluckers should be asked to ensure correct entries of their bundles on the collection cards that were supposed to be kept with them. They should also get the entries of payments properly endorsed every weekend so that irregularities in payment of wages were curbed. Dr. Bisen also directed the officials that in case of accidents, the insurance claims by the family members of the victims should be settled within three months. The Federation pays Rs. 2.10 crore as premium every year for the tendu leaf pluckers' insurance cover.

During discussions on the financial incentive scheme to promote cultivation of medicinal plants, Dr. Bisen said the incentive amount should be paid to members of the `van samitis' as well as the members of the primary cooperative societies engaged in tendu leaf collection as they can go for cultivation of medicinal plants and herbs during the off season to supplement their income. He said that in view of the growing popularity of Ayurveda, great importance had been attached to cultivation of medicinal herbs and plants in the State. Serious efforts should also be made to obtain maximum Central assistance for this purpose, he added.

The State Minor Forest Produce Federation proposes to provide a grant of Rs. one lakh to each beneficiary under this scheme. The meeting was informed that the National Medicinal Plants Board, New Delhi, had sanctioned 56 proposals from Madhya Pradesh last year and this year 582 proposals have already been forwarded to the Board for cultivation of medicinal plants and herbs.

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M.P. directive on payment of wages