300 villages to sell forest produce through village councils

People from 300 villages in Dhanora taluka of the district have decided to sell bamboo and tendu leaves through their village councils in a recent meeting.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the tribal dominated villages held recently at Kachkal village in Dhanora taluka under the chairmanship of Hiramanji Warkhede, a former MLA and chief of the Bharat Jan Andolan.
Under the Panchayat Extension to Schedule Areas (PESA) and the Forest Rights Act (FRA) village councils (gram sabhas) have the right over minor forest produce and the meeting was called to exercise these rights, according a press release issued by Warkhede yesterday.

At the meeting, it was decided that royalty from tendu leaves would go directly to village councils, while tendu leaves collection would be carried out under a committee headed by the District Collector, who would take decisions in consultation with village councils.
The right to issue transit passes popularly known as 'TP' would lie with village councils, it was decided.
Rates at which bamboo would be sold were decided at the meeting.

A high quality bamboo would cost Rs 50, while a medium sized one would cost Rs 30 per bamboo. Dried bamboo would cost Rs 75 per bundle, while raw bamboo would be available at Rs 250 per bundle.

Wages for road construction work would be Rs 250 per day. In cases of accidental death, contractors would have to pay a compensation of Rs 1.50 lakh to the kin of the deceased, it was decided.
Tribals from around 300 villages in different areas of the taluka attended the meeting.