What this scheme offers
Tendu leaves — used to wrap beedis — are collected seasonally across Chhattisgarh's forests, and for around 12.5 lakh forest-dwelling families, this collection work is a genuinely significant chunk of annual income rather than a side activity. The state sets the remuneration rate paid per standard bag collected, and the current government raised that rate substantially, from ₹4,000 to ₹5,500 per standard bag — a direct income increase reaching one of Chhattisgarh's largest forest-produce-dependent workforces without requiring any change in the collection process itself.
Who is eligible
- Registered tendu leaf collector in Chhattisgarh.
- Collecting through a recognised Primary Forest Produce Cooperative Society (Van Dhan Kendra or similar).
Documents required
- Aadhaar card
- Forest produce cooperative society registration/membership card
- Bank account details (Aadhaar-linked)
How to apply
- Register with your local Primary Forest Produce Cooperative Society if not already registered.
- Collect tendu leaves during the designated seasonal collection window and deposit at the designated collection centre.
- Your collection is weighed and recorded in standard bags at the collection centre.
- Payment at the current rate (₹5,500/standard bag) is credited via DBT to your Aadhaar-linked bank account.
- Renew your cooperative society registration each season as required.