Laghu Vanopaj Sangh Making Constant Efforts for Deprived and Economically Weak Category’s Welfare

Bhopal: Constants efforts are being made by the Laghu Vanopaj Sangh in Madhya Pradesh for development and economic empowerment of Tendu leaf Collectors and other minor forest produces collectors. Tendu leaf collectors have and been made owners from the labourers through cooperative societies. Eklavya Scholarship scheme has been started by the Laghu Vanopaj Sangh. The amount being paid towards scholarship under the Eklavya Scholarship scheme is more than any scholarship being provided to the school students. A total amount of Rs. 455 lakh has been distributed as the scholarship to the children of 6324 tendu leaf collector families till now. Addressing the seminar held on the subject ‘Vanchit and Arthik Roop se Kamzor Varg ke liye Sahkarita’ at the head office of Laghu Vanopaj Sangh, Chairman of the Minor Forest Produce Federation Mahesh Kori informed about this.

Chairman ICM Arun Singh Tomar, Vice Chairman Minor Forest Produce Federation Virendra Giri, Managing Director Jabbar Hasan and other speakers also addressed the seminar. Representatives of Minor Forest Produce Collectors’ Societies and Officers of the Minor Forest produce Federation were present on the occasion.

It was informed in the seminar that 33 lakh tendu leaf collectors are being benefitted by the Minor Forest Produce Federation. Programmes are being conducted to generate employment in rural areas, women empowerment, social security, to encourage meritorious children of tendu leaf collectors for education, infrastructure development works for villagers dwelling at remote places and for development of their competency and skills. The tendu leaf collectors are being benefitted by the Minor Forest produce Federation by covering them under the insurance. A total amount of Rs. 99 crore has been paid to them towards the insurance claim till now.

Moreover, under the Eklavya Scholarship scheme, scholarship of Rs. 12 thousand for students pursuing studies in class 9th, and 10th, Rs. 15 thousand for the students of class 11th and 12th besides Rs. 20 thousand for Higher Education (Non-Technical) and Rs. 50 thousand for Higher Education (Technical) to each student annually is being provided. As regard to the eligibility for the scholarship, it is must for the students to pass the qualifying examination with 60 percent marks.-Windowtonews