Odisha to introduce LABHA for MSP on minor forest produce – N.F Times

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government will introduce a host of measures, including a new scheme, for development of tribal people in the state.

The state Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today approved several proposals in this regard.

As per the Cabinet decision, the state government will introduce a new scheme LABHA – Laghu Bana Jatya Drabya Kraya—for the tribal people in Odisha.

What is LABHA?

1. LABHA Yojana is a 100% state-funded MSP for MFP scheme (minimum support price for minor forest produce)
2. The Minimum support Price will be determined every year by the state government
3. Under the scheme a primary collector (tribal)will be able to sell the minor forest produce at Minimum Support Price collected at the procurement centres by TDCCOL
4. Since 99% of primary collectors are tribals and majority of them are women, LABHA Yojana will integrate the efforts with the Mission Shakti’s Women SHGs
5. These procurement centres will be managed by SHGs /any other notified agencies assisted by TDCCOL.
6. Upon collection the amount will be transferred as DBT to the beneficiary’s account and the SHG /any other agency will receive Commission (2%) as well.
7. The Procurement automation System will capture the total collection of MFP and the details of the primary collector and the procurement point. As per 5T principles Procurement Automation System which will using Technology to ensure Transparency will bring about greater benefits for the tribal people.
8. For further sale TDCCOL will do e-tendering and explore value addition and processing units
9. The state government to further benefit the tribals of is setting up a Rs 25-crore tamarind processing plant in Rayagada which will use the Minor Forest Produce of tamarind procured through LABHA Yojana for value-addition .
10. Due to LABHA Yojana, possibility of distress sale of the produce to any middlemen will also be eliminated.

The Cabinet also approved a proposal for the establishment of a commission for preservation and promotion of tribal languages in Odisha.

• There are 21 tribal languages in Odisha which the state government wants to preserve, promote, develop, disseminate and safeguard through this Commission. This Commission will encourage multilingual education and documentation, preservation and promotion of tribal languages.
• In the education system under the Multilingual Education (MLE) programme, all 21 recognized tribal languages of the state are included.
• The Commission will also work towards inclusion of tribal languages like Ho, Mundari, Kui and Saora in the 8^th Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

The Cabinet also Unanimous Cabinet also passed a resolution reiterating the demand for inclusion of 169 communities in Odisha in the ST list.

Besides, a unanimous resolution was passed by the Cabinet, reiterating the inclusion of Ho, Mundari, Kui and Saora languages in the 8^th Schedule of the Indian Constitution.