Our government is committed to increasing the income of forest dwellers and ensuring their holistic development: Chief Minister Shri Sai

Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai today attended the oath-taking ceremony of the newly appointed Chairman Shri Roop Sai Salam and Vice Chairman Shri Yagyadatt Sharma of the Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce (Trading & Development) Cooperative Federation Ltd., held at the Medical College auditorium in Raipur. He extended heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to both leaders on their new responsibilities.

The Chief Minister said that Shri Salam has been entrusted with a highly important responsibility, which he will fulfill with dedication, sensitivity, experience, and competence. He noted that Shri Salam belongs to the tribal community and therefore deeply understands the problems, expectations, and needs of the community. The Chief Minister reiterated that the state government is consistently working to enhance the income and overall development of forest dwellers.

He recalled that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee created the state of Chhattisgarh with a vision to uplift the tribal population. He added that the creation of a separate Ministry of Tribal Affairs at the Centre gave new impetus to the development of tribal communities. He also highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has strengthened this commitment by implementing the Dhartii Aaba Gram Utkarsh Yojana and PM Janman Yojana, which are bringing remarkable progress in tribal-dominated regions.

The Chief Minister said that Chhattisgarh provides the highest price in the country for tendu leaf collectors. Special focus is being given to value addition of forest produce to increase the income of forest dwellers and ensure their true economic empowerment.

Forest Minister Shri Kedar Kashyap said it is the state’s good fortune that Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai himself belongs to the tribal community and understands the hardships, pain, and aspirations of forest-dwelling families. He noted that 32% of the state’s population is tribal, and 44% of the area is forested, making minor forest produce the main source of livelihood for forest dwellers. He said that tendu leaves are known as “green gold,” and CM Sai has ensured fair pricing accordingly. Chhattisgarh has become the first state in the country to increase the price of tendu leaf from ₹4,000 to ₹5,500 per standard bag.

The Forest Minister added that Chief Minister Sai has not only revived the Charan Paduka Yojana but is also taking impactful steps through various schemes to improve the living standards of forest produce collectors.

The event was attended by Health Minister Shri Shyam Bihari Jaiswal, NAN Chairman Shri Sanjay Srivastava, Yoga Commission Chairman Shri Roop Narayan Sinha, Chairman of the Tribal Local Health Tradition & Medicinal Plant Board Shri Vikas Markam, Waqf Board Chairman Dr. Salim Raj, PCCF Shri V. Srinivas Rao, members of the Minor Forest Produce Federation, and a large number of forest produce collectors from across the state.