Vishnu Deo Sai discussed with the tendu leaf collectors during his interaction with them in Surajpur district on Wednesday and reviewed welfare packages and forest livelihood activities in the district at a village meeting held at a mahua tree.
The chief minister of Chhattisgarh visited the Patna tendu leaf collection centre of Ramanujnagar Primary Minor Forest Produce Cooperative Society. He visited the tendu leaf procurement process, interacted with collectors and addressed their livelihoods, income, and issues faced in their localities during the visit.
Chief Minister was welcomed by the villagers and the tendu leaf collectors with garlands of tendu leaves and fruits. Local and representatives of the ministers were also honored during the event.
Sai expressed his appreciation of the contribution of forest dependant families to the rural economy and stated that the government of the state will continue to make improving their lives a priority. He visited the villages and conveyed his good wishes while seeking information on ration distribution, access to drinking water, progress on Jal Jeevan Mission, the education facilities and implementation of Mahtari Vandan Yojana.
The chief minister also met women beneficiaries to learn how the financial assistance given under the welfare scheme was contributing towards improving family finances and for the children’s development. He instructed officials to work sensitively towards protecting the interests of people dependent on forest-based livelihoods.
In this regard, the chief minister gave shoes to tendu leaf collectors and motivated them to work for the economy.
Authorities said the procurement rate of tendu leaves in 2026 has been decided at a rate of ₹5,500 per standard sack. As of 21st May, more than 66 sacks had already been collected (with 108 collectors actively involved) at the Patna centre, against a target of 50 standard sacks.