Mass Protest and Gherao at Kenduleaf DFO Office Over Budget Cuts and Neglect of Workers’ Demands.

Jharsuguda: A massive protest and gherao was staged today in front of the Kenduleaf DFO (Divisional Forest Officer) office in Jharsuguda by the Odisha Kendupatra Karmachari Sangha Employees’ Union, Jharsuguda Division Committee. The protest was held to voice strong opposition against the state government’s alleged neglect of kenduleaf pluckers and laborers’ welfare.

The key grievances included a budget cut of ₹50 crores from the initially approved ₹100 crores for kenduleaf operations, delay and negligence in providing financial assistance for the marriage of daughters of kenduleaf workers despite official announcements, and the continued non-implementation of revised monthly wages for seasonal workers even after nine months of the official wage revision in July.

The protestors also expressed anger over the unchanged piece rate for kenduleaf bundling workers and criticized the incomplete restructuring of the long-demanded KLDB (Kenduleaf Development Board), calling it faulty and insufficient. Moreover, there was deep resentment over the failure to increase the per-kerry (bundle) rate for kenduleaf despite prior promises made during election campaigns, even though the collection process has already begun.

Union President Bijay Kumar Mohanty, in his address, strongly criticized the government for its apathy and urged immediate fulfillment of the pressing demands. He warned that further delay would escalate dissatisfaction among the pluckers and workers.

Following the protest, a 10-point demand memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister was submitted through the DFO. Copies of this memorandum were also sent to the Forest Minister, Additional Chief Secretary, and the PCCF (Principal Chief Conservator of Forests). Thousands of kenduleaf workers and laborers signed the petition.

The protestors warned that if the negligence regarding the marriage assistance scheme continues, similar gheraos would be carried out at DFO offices across the state.

Prominent participants in today’s demonstration included State Vice President Gokul Meher, State Organizational Secretary Sanjeet Mohanty, State Secretary Mohammad Murtuza, State Treasurer Kshetra Chandra Barik, Division Secretary Pradeep Sahu, Joint Secretaries Ashok Majhi, Sumit Patel, Chuman Pradhan, Chitrasen Nayak, and kenduleaf plucker representatives like Mamata Khadia, Mandakini Bhoi, Rinki Rohidas, and Mina Dharua, all of whom spoke and shared their concerns during the event.