Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has asked Union Finance Minister and Chairperson of GST Council, Nirmala Sitharaman, to withdraw the imposition of Goods and Services Tax (GST) on Kendu (Tendu) leaves.
In a letter to Sitharaman on Friday, Patnaik stated that Kendu leaf, a Minor Forest Produce (MFP) is the financial backbone of about 8 lakhs Kendu leaf pluckers, binders and seasonal workers of Odisha who mostly belong to the tribal community and poorest of the poor of the society.
The tribal people collect the leaves as part of their right defined under Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006. They have the right to procure and sell these products, stated the Chief Minister.
“Imposition of GST (18%) on Kendu (Tendu) leaves is adversely affecting the Kendu leaves trade. This in turn affects the livelihoods of the Kendu leaves pluckers, binders and seasonal workers and implementation of social security and welfare schemes for them,” added Patnaik.
“In the interest of livelihoods of the Kendu leaves dependent community, it is urged upon to withdraw the imposition of GST on Kendu leaves for the greater interest of the State of Odisha,” stated the Chief Minister.
