As soon as House assembled for the day, the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Ravindra Choubey said that even though the state government had announced to provide bonus in cash to tendu leaves collectors, no step has been taken in this regard so far.
"In the previous session, the state forest minister (Vikram Uendi) had made an announcement in this matter, even though no action had been taken yet," Choueby alleged.
He sought to know in how many districts the tendu leaves collectors had been paid bonus this year and whether they had been paid through checks or cash.
Replying to his question, Uendi admitted that he had directed the authorities to introduce cash payment of bonus in the current procedure.
Bonus was distributed in every district through cheques till November 10, he added.
Taking an objection, Choubey pointed out that earlier the government had announced to distribute bonus in cash.
Joining the issue, Congress MLA Dharamjeet Singh said the tendu leaves collectors generally face trouble in encashing their cheques due to the dearth of banks in remote areas.
Usendi, however,pointed that the bonus was being distributed as per the recommendation of the district committee.
Dissatisfied with his reply, the Opposition trooped out of the House.
