Conspiracy to Dissolve Jharsuguda Kenduleaf Division May Spark Massive Public Movement

Jharsuguda: A strong public movement is likely to emerge if any attempt is made to dissolve the Jharsuguda Kenduleaf Division, warned the Odisha Kenduleaf Employees Union during a meeting held at the Divisional Forest Officer’s office today.

The meeting, chaired by Divisional Forest Officer Salvinder Singh, was attended by range officers, range clerks, and representatives from the Odisha Kenduleaf Employees Union across various regions including Jharsuguda, Belpahar, Kadamdihi, Kanika, and Duduka. The meeting focused on a range of pressing issues impacting the kenduleaf workers.

Established in 1973, the Jharsuguda Kenduleaf Division provides livelihood to nearly 50,000 pluckers and 1,500 seasonal workers, the majority of whom are women, tribals, economically disadvantaged, and landless. However, industrialization, displacement, and pollution over the past two decades have negatively affected the kenduleaf business. Workers now face challenges such as leaf diseases, discoloration, reduced leaf size, shrinking harvesting areas, and village displacement, all contributing to a decline in productivity and increasing unemployment among pluckers.

The Union alleged that, instead of supporting this division’s transformation into a profitable venture, some senior officials are conspiring to dismantle the Jharsuguda Division and merge it into Sambalpur, Kuchinda, and Rourkela Divisions. Strongly opposing this plan, the Union warned that if such actions are not stopped immediately, a massive public movement will be launched in Jharsuguda district, uniting various local and social organizations.

Key issues raised during the meeting included timely wage payments as per workdays, halting employee retrenchment, and filling vacant posts.

The meeting was attended by Union State President Bijay Mahanti, Vice-President Gokul Meher, Organizational Secretary Sanjeet Mahanti, State Secretary Mohammad Murtuja, Divisional Secretary Pradeep Sahu, Media Coordinator Debjyoti Pattnayak, and members Sumit Patel, Ashok Majhi, Tarun Sahu, Ramesh Pradhan, Premanand Khanda, Tilakram Majhi, Manabodh Panda, Sandhya Rani Panda, Saroj Purohit, Alekh Sahu, Kishore Khanda, and Tularam Saha.