Bamboo in Orissa: Trade and Livelihood Perspective - Vasundhara

More documents

Recommendations

Info

All rights reserved by VASUNDHARA(www.vasundharaorissa.org). For any clarification, contact author at sunlit1968@yahoo.co.in divisions with a target of 112900 MT IB and 610750 pieces of CB, while BILT was allotted 15 divisions with a target of 81900 MT IB and 754250 pieces of CB. The total target fixed was therefore 194800 MT IB and 1365000 pieces of CB. The sale price for IB was fixed at Rs.1700/MT, and past disputes were proposed to be resolved through an arbitration (vide proceedings of the meeting of the Emp. Committee held on 30.9.04). However, the paper mills were still hesitating to accept the decision of the Committee, particularly due to the proposed price of IB. On 7 th October their representatives met the Chief Minister followed by an important meeting that took place on 11 th October. In this meeting of 11-10-04, the RMPs were told that although the govt had intended for a long term agreement with them, this was not possible at present as the Govt of India had approved the working scheme for one year only. On the other hand, the demand(by the RMPs) that they should be allowed to purchase not in terms of SUs but MTs, had been okayed. Since price was a major factor of resentment for the RMPs, a core group was constituted for further negotiation with the RMPs. The Group met on 28 th October. The RMPs finally agreed to pay Rs.1500/MT, but on the basis of their own assessment of the potential of the allotted areas they said that they could harvest max. 73750 MTs of IB particularly because the time available for the operations was not sufficient enough 10 . The Empowered Committee then decided that the RMPs would have to harvest minimum 75000 MT of IB, and that if they achieved above this then they would be eligible to get incentive(rebate) at the following rate: 75000 to 100000 MT: Rs.20/MT 100000 to 125000 MT: Rs.30/MT 125000 to 150000 MT: Rs.40/MT Above 150000 MT: Rs.50 /MT (vide proceedings of the meeting of the Emp. Committee held on 6.11.04). Although the total sale price per ton was mutually agreed to be fixed at Rs.1500/ton, there was some disagreement regarding the break up. The status as on 6th Nov. '04 was that a break-up in the form of Rs.850 towards operational cost, and Rs.650 towards govt payables had been already considered; but the uncertainty still prevailed which led to a delay in finalising the agreement by another two months. Finally, on 6th January '05 both parties agreed on a break up of Rs.750 towards operational cost and an equal amount towards govt payables, the total being Rs.1500/ton. As per this agreement, the target(of IB) fixed for BILT is 32400 MT in 15 divisions as against 42600 MT for JKP in rest 16 divisions (The Samaj,15-1-05). The RMPs were required to harvest CB @5% of this target fixed, for which they would be entitled to get Rs.5/piece(CB) as reimbursement of their operational cost(for CB). As per the latest arrangement, the rebate would be calculated on the net payables (royalty, etc.) as under: 10 It may be recalled here that the operations should have been started ideally by 1 st October. 29
All rights reserved by VASUNDHARA(www.vasundharaorissa.org). For any clarification, contact author at sunlit1968@yahoo.co.in 75000- 1 lakh MT: Rs.715/MT (i.e.,Rs.35 on Rs.750/ton) 1 lakh to 1.25 lakh MT: Rs.680/MT 1.25 lakh to 1.5 lakh MT: Rs.650/MT The RMPs are required to first send the bundles to OFDC's depot where these would be weighed and assessed. Within 90 days of production of the bamboo, the RMPs are to lift their stock from OFDC's depot. If however they lift the same after the expiry of this 90-day period, then land rent @Re.1/MT/month would be charged on them which would increase to Rs.5/MT if they do not arrange for lifting within next 90 days. If they still fail to lift the stock, then the bamboo would be declared as the property of the govt.. The naxal effect In the very year of nationalisation, OFDC faced a major dilemma in the naxalite-affected areas of the southern districts. In Malkangiri, where some of the best bamboo coupes exist(ed), the naxalites demanded Rs.5000 per truck to allow it for transporting the bamboo and since this was not possible for the Corporation, a period of uncertainty continued for about an year since OFDC could not dare challenging the naxalites. Finally, the authorities had to yield to this demand, which helped them for lifting and transporting about 12 truckloads 11 . In January 1993, OFDC informed the govt that production in Malkangiri area would not be more than 10000 SU due to the naxalite problem, and that supply of 80000 SU of IB to BILT as per the BIFR award would not be possible due to this reason. In the meantime(March '93) both Straw Products and BILT represented to the govt to take up harvesting work in this area. Since bamboo was a nationalised item, it was then decided to find a solution of the problem through the appointment of 'labour contractors' under OFDC. Demanding ransom was not the only activity of the naxalites. They were not happy with the wage rates fixed for the bamboo cutters. In one case they once asked a sub-divisional manager appointed by OFDC in the Chitrakonda area (Malkangiri) to bring the bamboo bundle from the hill on his own shoulder so that he could feel what a tough job it was. The officer got frightened and left the place, after which no body came to replace him in fear of facing the naxalites. Hence, bamboo operations had to be stopped in that area for some time(per comm.., J.K.Parida). This way bamboo working was affected in the naxalite-prone areas. The activities of naxalites was increasing and since these people tried to show that they were fighting for giving justice to the poor tribals, the govt found it difficult to mobilise the support of the local people against them. In September 2004, after the naxalites demonstrated their strength in the form of a rally known as ‘jan garjan samabesha’ at Bhubaneswar, the govt announced several steps for the development of livelihood conditions in the concerned tribal districts and one of these steps included revival of the bamboo cutting operations. RMPs like BILT handled the situation by establishing a working relationship with the naxals, i.e., they tried to ensure that the bamboo cutters were not exploited. Being private companies they exercised much more flexibility in this matter, than OFDC, which helped them sustain their operations in such areas. 11 Source confidential 30
Page 1 and 2: All rights reserved by VASUNDHARA(w
Page 29: All rights reserved by VASUNDHARA(w
Page 81 and 82:
All rights reserved by VASUNDHARA(w
Page 83 and 84:
Page 85 and 86:
Page 87 and 88:
Page 89 and 90:
Page 91 and 92:
Page 93 and 94:
Page 95 and 96:
Page 97 and 98:
Page 99 and 100:
Page 101:
show all

Bamboo in Orissa: Trade and Livelihood Perspective - Vasundhara

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?