Value addition to small forest produce increased income and employment opportunities for forest dwellers: Shri Bhupesh Baghel

Chief Minister Shri Bhupesh Baghel performed Bhoomi Pujan of the residential complex of Chhattisgarh State Small Forest Produce Cooperative Union in Sector 26 of Nava Raipur through video conferencing from his residence office here today. A target has been set to complete the construction of this building in 18 months at a cost of Rs 14 crore 80 lakh in about 4 and a half acres. The Chief Minister said that this colony will be ready in 18 months. This colony is being constructed in Nava-Raipur, the well-equipped capital of Chhattisgarh. 72 quatters will be built in this colony.
On the occasion of Bhoomi Pujan of this residential colony, Chief Minister Mr. Baghel said that important work of collection, tendup leaf collection of minor forest produce was done with promptness and responsibility by the State Small Forest Produce Cooperative Union and Forest Department. Due to the efforts of the department, the value addition work is being done in small forest produce, which has increased the income of forest dwellers and women self-help groups and large number of people are getting employment in this work. The Chief Minister said that this residential complex is being constructed by the Chhattisgarh State Small Forest Produce Cooperative Union, taking care of the convenience of its officers and employees. This will also increase the efficiency of the officers and employees and they will be able to discharge their duties in a better way.
On this occasion, Forest Minister Mohammad Akbar said that with the construction of new residential complex, officers and employees will be able to take time to travel to Nava Raipur and they will be able to do their work in a better manner. He said that the work of the State Small Forest Produce Cooperative Union has increased significantly. In the year 2018, 7 minor food items were collected, the number of which has now increased to 52. This year, 73 percent of the total forest produce collected in the country has been stored in Chhattisgarh alone, worth Rs 130 crore. The income of tendu leaf collectors has also increased by increasing the tendupatta collection rate from Rs 2500 per standard bag to Rs 4000 per standard bag. Managing Director of State Small Forest Produce Cooperative Union Mr. Sanjay Shukla gave information about the residential complex.