Bidding for beedi leaf tenders kicks off on upbeat note

Bidding for beedi leaf tenders commenced on an optimistic note during the current season in the northern Telangana region. Of the total 143 units, the bidding was completed in 47 of them during the first phase of the tender process finalisation held on January 17, 2006, in Hyderabad.

According to Ilyas Rizvi, conservator of forests, the tenders were finalised in seven units of south Warangal, 19 in the north division and 21 in the Karimnagar east division during the first phase bidding. However, 19 units in the Karimnagar west division have remained unbidden.

Last year, the bidding could not yield fruitful results and only 26 units undertook leaf collection after eight phases of bidding. This year's good performance is attributed to the new policy announced by chief minister Y S Rajasekhar Reddy, wherein the income generated through the collecting units was earmarked for the development of tribals in their respective regions.

Tendu leaf operations are held in four different divisions of the Warangal circle. Pruning is undertaken in 56 units in the north division of Warangal circle. In south division, leaf pruning is carried out in 28 units and in the Karimnagar east, a total of 40 units undertake the leaf collection process.

The forest wing has set a target of collecting tendu leaf to the tune of 1,84,184 standard bags. During the previous year, tenders were finalised at the highest rate of Rs 181.11 per standard bag.

This year, the highest bidding was recorded at Suraram unit of Karimnagar east division.