Chhattisgarh plans to choke funds

Chhattisgarh government could consider changing the state's tendupatta policy in a move to choke the income line of the Naxalites. The Naxalites, have been amassing fund from the contractors.

The money ran into crores of rupees and had been one of the major sources of income for the rebels.

Chhattisgarh produces the best quality tendu (Diasporas melonoxylon) leaves. The state has the potential to produce 2 million standard bags of tendu leaves that are used as Beedi wrappers.

The state government took a major tendupatta policy decision in 2004. Instead of selling leaves stored in the godown, the government decided to introduce forward trading which is selling the leaves in advance to the purchaser. However, the collection of leaves and the payment of wages to the pluckers will be done by the primary co-operative society only.

Sources said that the private purchasers were treating the leaves at collection centre, transport and store in the godowns in the Naxal-infested pockets. To avoid damage in the store or during transportation from the red zone, the rebels were extorting huge money from the contractors.

"The Chhattisgarh government is ready to change its tendupatta policy but the neighbouring states should also follow suit to enable a uniform policy in the Naxal-infested states," Chief Minister Raman Singh said.