Odisha CM writes to FM for withdrawal of GST on kendu leaves
Odisha CM writes to FM for withdrawal of GST on kendu leaves
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Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik urged the Centre to repeal the GST imposed on kendu leaves three days after announcing a special package for the welfare of kendu leaf pluckers in the interest of their livelihoods.
The CM stated in a letter to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, "The imposition of GST (18%) on kendu leaves is negatively harming trade." As a result, it has an impact on the livelihoods of Kendu leaf pluckers, binders, and seasonal employees, as well as the execution of social security and welfare programmes for them."
Kendu leaf, a Minor Forest Produce (MFP), provides a living for around 8 lakh leaf pluckers, binders, and seasonal labourers in Odisha, the majority of whom are tribals and the lowest of the poor, according to him.
"The tribal people harvest the leaves in accordance with their rights as outlined by the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act of 2006." "They have the right to procure and sell these things," he stated, begging that the tribal people's financial backbone be spared.
On November 23, Naveen announced the inclusion of kendu leaf pluckers in the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) as part of a special package, along with four other perks.
