The decision was taken at a high level meeting chaired by Chhattisgarh minister for forests and revenue Brijmohan Agrawal. The additional chief secretary, Sergius Minj and senior officials of the department concerned were also present in the meeting.
Besides increasing the wage rate, the meeting also approved a proposal to give bonus to the workers from the profit earned from saal seed trade. After tendu leaves, saal seed is a major non wood forest produce (NWFP) in Chhattisgarh, which covers 44 per cent geographical area under forest.
The annual trade estimates in the state from nationalised NWFP is Rs 225 crore. The officials informed that the Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce (Trading & Development) Co-Operative Federation Ltd had received good rates in the second tender called for advance auction of saal seed.
The corporation has set a target of collecting 2,50,000 quintal saal seeds this year. About 38 units have been set up in the state for collection and sale of saal seeds, officials added.
