In a groundbreaking development for Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district, which has faced challenges related to Naxal activities, two young women from isolated tribal villages have been appointed as managers of Primary Minor Forest Produce Committees. This change follows a corruption scandal that resulted in the suspension of several officials linked to a fraud involving tendu leaf bonuses. The newly appointed managers have successfully managed the collection of tendu leaves valued at Rs 4.52 crore during this season.
The forest department came under scrutiny last year when the Chhattisgarh Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) filed a First Information Report (FIR), claiming that a significant portion of the Rs 7 crore allocated for tendu leaf collector bonuses for the fiscal year 2021-22 had been misappropriated. This investigation led to the suspension of the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) and managers from eleven Primary Minor Forest Produce Committees.
A forest official explained, “Corruption issues arose because in certain Naxal-affected regions of Sukma, such as Jagargunda, Kistaram, Golapalli, and Konta, cash payments for tendu leaves were made due to the lack of banking facilities in these remote areas. Since last year, we have transitioned to an online payment system.”
In the wake of the suspensions, the forest department initiated a recruitment process for new committee managers. This provided a significant opportunity for Dilpa Kichche, 23, and Pushpa Madkam, 22, who have now taken on these managerial roles, while the remaining nine selected candidates are male.
Tribal communities typically gather tendu leaves during the summer months, which are then processed into bidis. The collection and sale of these leaves represent a vital seasonal income source for families dependent on forest resources. The Primary Minor Forest Produce Committees are responsible for purchasing the leaves from collectors and facilitating the payment and distribution of bonuses.
During the current season, Kichche and Madkam oversaw the procurement of 8,236 standard bags of tendu leaves, totaling approximately Rs 4.52 crore. They will also ensure that payments are directly deposited into the newly created bank accounts of the collectors in these remote regions.
Kichche, from the village of Korapar located about 50 kilometers from the district center, shared her personal story, stating, “When I was a child, Naxals murdered my uncle nearly twenty years ago. Today, we still lack mobile connectivity, and there is a sense of fear in going back. There is no school, only an anganwadi. My father, a teacher, sent me over 200 kilometers away to Dantewada to continue my education before he passed away in 2011. I lived in a hostel, completed my schooling, and later earned a BA from Mahendra Karma Girls College.”
She expressed her desire for the government to encourage parents to prioritize their children’s education, noting, “Many parents overlook this because they need their daughters to help at home, and financial issues also play a role. I want girls to receive an education like mine so they can advance in life.”
Madkam, who comes from Madkampara village in Sukma, obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from a local college. She remarked, “I found a job advertisement at a Common Service Centre and applied. I am the first woman from my village to secure a government job. Now, I am motivating my sisters to concentrate on their studies.”
Sukma DFO Akshay Kumar Bhosale emphasized that the significance of these appointments extends beyond just managing tendu procurement. “It is a source of pride that women from such remote villages in Sukma have been appointed as managers for the first time. Their selection will inspire other women to pursue their education, and I hope this leads to greater female participation in similar roles in the future,” he stated.
Bhosale noted the progress being made, stating, “Currently, out of 25 managers, including the new hires, only two are women. However, as Sukma becomes Naxal-free, more women are stepping up to seek opportunities. This is merely the beginning.” He added, “They are efficient and proactive, raising awareness about tendu leaf-related initiatives, including scholarships and insurance for collectors.”
The minimum support price for tendu leaves stands at Rs 5,500 per bag, each containing 1,000 bundles of 50 leaves. The government collects these leaves and sells them to contractors.
The corruption case identified in April led the government to enforce online transactions district-wide, resulting in the first-time direct bank transfers to tendu leaf collectors, amounting to approximately Rs 39.04 crore across 41,021 accounts. This year, the total increased to Rs 46.41 crore, benefiting 46,625 accounts. Previously, officials indicated that nearly half of the payments had been made in cash due to Naxalism and the lack of banking facilities in remote villages. Last year, 17,000 bank accounts were established in these areas for this initiative.
Jayprakash S Naidu serves as the Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, and currently acts as the state correspondent for Chhattisgarh. With a robust background in frontline journalism, he covers the political, security, and humanitarian issues in Central India.
Naidu specializes in conflict reporting, particularly concerning the Maoist/Naxalite conflict in the Bastar region. His work provides crucial insights into internal security, tribal rights, governance, electoral politics, and public policy, among other topics.
