Madhya Pradesh
Government had decided to collect and trade tendu leaves through
Co-operative societies since 1989. All the income from the trade
of Minor forest Produces including tendu leaves is passed on
to these societies who in turn distribute 50% of this net income
as incentive wages to the gatherers of leaves. The balance amount
is utilized for the development of forests, forest produce and
infrastructures in the villages. This policy is applicable for
tendu leaf collectors only. However, the beedi workers who are
also collecting tendu leaves and are members of the co-operative
societies are availing benefits under the tendu leave policy.
From the infrastructure created at village level, all the villagers
including beedi workers are benefited.
Government
have enacted Beedi & Cigar Workers (Conditions of Employment)
Act, 1966 to protect the beedi workers from exploitation and
the same is being implemented by the State Governments.
Government
is running a number of welfare schemes for beedi workers in
the fields of health, social security, housing, education, and
recreation and the beedi workers including their family members
are availing benefits under these schemes.
This information
was given by the Minister of State for Labour Shri Vijay Goel
in reply to a question by Shri P.K Maheshwari in the Rajya Sabha
today.
