RANCHI: The Jharkand Government is planning a host of measures to improve the standard of living of villagers in the State, including introducing a minimum support price for tendu leaf growers from next year.

``There will be a minimum support price that will enable the villagers sell their yield to the Government from next year. However, they are free to sell if they could find a better rate'', Jharkhand Development Commissioner T Nanda Kumar said here. ``We have already allowed four minor forest produce for trade with an aim to instil self-confidence, lending a sense of belonging and self-respect in their daily life...Hitherto they got wages for their collections from the forest department,'' Mr. Kumar said. The senior officer said the Government would keep trading control of tendu leaves to protect the villagers from big bidi companies. ``We also have to increase the yield per acre,'' he said.

On the community development moves taken, he said the state government was keen to utilise the services of cooperatives and self-help groups.

In the absence of full-fledged panchayat bodies, the state government was working out a novel plan to involve village communities through gram sabhas in various spheres like forest health, education, drinking water, roads and 45 other schemes.

``We have given a seed money of Rs 50,000 per gram sabha, which would be increased upto five lakh with the passage of time,'' Mr Kumar said .- PTI

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail