Nuapada: Thousands of seasonal workers, Kendu leaf collectors and binders gheraoed the district Collector’s office Saturday in support of their 12-point charter of demands. The call for the agitation was given by the Khariar division of Odisha Kendu Leaf Workers’ Union.
The agitators headed towards Collectorate from Police Ground in a procession under the leadership of union office bearers Jadumani Panigrahi and Abdul Rashid.
The agitation and gherao continued for an hour. The agitators were demanding enhanced salary on the basis of minimum wage for the seasonal workers and immediate withdrawal of the order stopping educational assistance to the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students, which is currently being provided under the Social Security Programme.
Moreover, they demanded provision of EPF and pension facility for all engaged in Kendu leaf organisations, fixing of minimum purchase and binding price of Kendu leaf in the interest of pluckers and binders, enhancement of bonus amount, waiver of GST from the Kendu leaf trade, regularising the services of labourers working since 1993 and complete rights for the collection of minor forest products and Kendu leaf to the tribal people residing in Sunabeda sanctuary among others.
The agitators submitted a memorandum to the district Collector, which was received on his behalf by the Additional Collector, Sitaram Patel. The DFO, Kendu leaf, Pravanjan Pradhan was also present on the occasion.
PNN