Balangir, Apr 9: In a significant move, the Odisha State Government has sanctioned Rs 50 crore to address the grievances of Kendu leaf workers.

On a recent tour of electoral constituency – Patnagarh in Balangir district, Odisha's Deputy Chief Minister, KV Singhdeo, held public hearings at his official residence, addressing pressing concerns from various sectors.

Despite earlier allocations of Rs 100 crore by the state government for Kendu leaf workers, including 8.5 lakh pluckers and 18,000 seasonal workers, bonuses remained elusive.

The Odisha Kendu Leaf Workers' Association, under the leadership of State Secretary, organized a large-scale meeting with the Deputy Chief Minister to bring attention to their demands. Hundreds of workers gathered to articulate their struggles and sought immediate action.

Responding to the concerns, Deputy CM Singhdeo took swift measures and approved a partial allocation of Rs 50 crore. This development marks a positive step towards resolving the long-standing issues faced by Kendu leaf workers. Following the announcement, over a hundred workers, led by the state secretary, expressed their gratitude to the Deputy Chief Minister for his timely intervention.

This approval highlights the government’s commitment to worker welfare and addressing grassroots issues. However, the workers and their representatives remain hopeful that the remaining funds will be disbursed soon to ensure fairness and transparency in the process.

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