Chhattisgarh State PCS

• 10 Feb 2022

Government Departments Will Now Get the Products of 'Chhattisgarh Herbals' with 10% Discount

Why in News

• On February 9, 2022, Chief Secretary of Chhattisgarh Amitabh Jain has directed all the departments of the state, Chairman Revenue Board, Bilaspur, Heads of Departments, Collectors and Public Undertakings that the products manufactured under the brand 'Chhattisgarh Herbals' should get 10 percent discount on MRP. Taking advantage, implement the system of making government purchases.

Key Points

• It is noteworthy that as per the instructions of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, all the departments of the state government, government undertakings and municipal corporations etc. have been instructed to compulsorily purchase the products of 'Chhattisgarh Herbals' brand with discount as per their requirement.
• In relation to direct purchase of ayurvedic medicines, herbal products and processed food items from minor forest produce manufactured by Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce Association Limited at the prescribed rate, rule 8 of Chhattisgarh Store Purchase Rules 2002 (as amended in 2020) has been amended.
• The Chief Secretary has directed all government institutions to compulsorily purchase all such items, which are sold under the brand 'Chhattisgarh Herbals' through Sanjeevani Kendras, with a discount of 10 percent on MRP.
• It may be mentioned that 'Chhattisgarh Herbals', a unit of Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce (Trade and Development) Co-operative Federation, plays an important role in meeting the financial needs of the people living in and around the forests in the state, especially the tribals.
• Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce Cooperative Federation procures 61 minor forest produce and is producing more than 150 value added products. The Sangh has set up 30 Sanjeevani Kendras in all the major districts of the state for retail sale of products.
• The presence of 'Chhattisgarh Herbals' in various International, National and Inter-State level exhibitions has expanded the reach of the products globally. 'Chhattisgarh Herbals' participated in International Gulf Food Festival in Dubai, International IndusFood Event in Delhi, Tribal Festival in Delhi, International Herbal Fair in Bhopal, Chhattisgarh Diwali Haat Mela, Rajyotsav and Exhibitions at Malls.
• Apart from this, exhibitions of 'Chhattisgarh Herbals' are organized from time to time in various important programs organized by government and private organizations.

Production of Kodo-Kutki-Ragi will Get a Boost in the State

Why in News

• On February 9, 2022, Chhattisgarh Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain, in the meeting of the Inter-departmental Coordination Committee of Millet Mission organized through video conferencing, under 'Millet Mission', made an action plan for increasing the production area of Kodo-Kutki and Ragi in the state. instructed.

Key Points

• At present, these crops are produced in an area of 69 thousand hectares in the state. A target has been set to increase the area under crop production to one lakh 17 thousand hectares by the next procurement year.
• The purchase of Kodo-Kutki-Ragi is being done by Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce Association on support price. So far 27,000 quintals of millets have been procured in this procurement year.
• It is worth noting that under the support price fixed by the state government, Kodo is being purchased at the rate of Rs 30, Kutki (black) at Rs 30, Kutki (brown) at Rs 30, Ragi at Rs 33.77 per kg.
• The scheduled date for purchase of Kodo, Kutki and Ragi crops on support price in the state was from December 1, 2021 to January 31, 2022, which has been recently extended till February 15, 2022.

Now 61 Minor Forest Produce are Purchased on Support Price in Chhattisgarh

Why in News

• On February 8, 2022, Chhattisgarh's Forest and Climate Change Minister Mohammad Akbar informed that keeping in mind the interest of the forest dwellers of Chhattisgarh state, the number of minor forest produce for purchase at present support price in Chhattisgarh has been increased from 52 to 61.

Key Points

• Minister Mohammad Akbar informed that in Chhattisgarh, the number of minor forest produce for purchase on support price has increased from 7 to 61 in about three years.
• It is noteworthy that under the support price fixed by the state government in Chhattisgarh, 61 minor forest produce increased from 52 to Harra Bal, Mahua Phool Kacha (Food Grade), Jhadu Chhind (Grass), Kodo, Kutki (Black), Kutki (Brown), Ragi, Amchur (white) and Amchur (brown) are new minor forest produce.
• According to the fixed support price, these include Harra Bal Rs 30, Mahua flower raw (food grade) Rs 10, Broom Chhind (grass) Rs 15, Kodo Rs 30, Kutki (black) Rs 30, Kutki (brown) Rs 30, Ragi Rs 33.77 Amchur (white) will be purchased at the rate of Rs 120.
• Sanjay Shukla, Managing Director of Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce Association said that Malkangani seed (dry), Baybuding, Kalmegh/Bhuinim (dry), Amla (seedless) dry, Contains Rangini lac/Chilli lac (dry), Reetha fruit (dry), Van cumin seed, Satavar root (dry), Charota seed, Honey and Nagarmotha (dry).
• Similarly Mahul Patta, Harra Sabut (Dry), Harra Kacharia, Bahera Sabut (Dry), Bahera Kacharia, Giloy (Dry), Kusumi Lakh/Chilli Lakh (Dry), Van Basil Seed, Bhelwa, Shikakai Phalli (Dry), Tamarind Aati (with seeds), Tamarind flower (seedless), Tamarind seed, Mahua flower (dry), Mahua seed, Broom flower (grass), Kaunch seed, Dhavai flower (dry), Chironji kernel, Karanj seed, Belguda (dry) , Kullu gum, cashew kernels, sal seed, safflower seed, neem seed (dry) and jamun seed (dry) are being purchased at support price.
• Apart from this, Amla fruit (raw), Rangini Lakh Beehan (with live lac insect), Kusumi Lakh Beehan (with live lac insect), Broom Kanta (grass), Belphal (raw), Jamun fruit (raw), Sawai Grass, Patal Kumhra Kand (Dry), Safed Musli Kand (Dry), Tikhur Kand (Raw), Ashwagandha Root (Dry) are also being purchased at support price.