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MLA local area fund to be hiked

Special Correspondent

Kendu leaves purchase price increased

BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday announced his government's decision to increase the MLA Local Area Development Fund from Rs. 50 lakhs per annum to Rs. 75 lakhs.

The government has decided to go for a hike following demand from legislators cutting across party lines to raise the fund volume to fulfill people's demand for development works in their respective constituencies, Mr. Patnaik said making a statement in the State Assembly.

The legislators belonging to the ruling alliance applauded the Chief Minister's announcement.

However, the Opposition Members termed the announcement as one of Mr. Patnaik's populist moves ahead of state wide panchayat polls.

In another statement, Mr. Patnaik said that the purchase price of kendu leaves had been increased from 21-and-half paise to 23 paise for a kerry of 20 leaves in the process area and from 43 paise to 46 paise for a kerry of 40 leaves in phal area during 2007 kendu Leaf crop year.

The Chief Minister further said that the price of growers' leaves had been increased from Rs. 1250 to Rs. 1350 per quintal exclusive of grading, binding and bagging charges.

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