The Kendu Leaf Trade: Problems & Prospects in Orissa - Vasundhara

Annexure-20
An analysis, in the media, of the problems in the KL business
(Published in The Anupam Bharat, 17-11-04)
[Note: This analysis by Sri Gokul Meher, then the Secretary, Orissa Kendu Patra Karmachari
Sangha(KL Workers Union), Sambalpur says that although the current sale mechanism is said to
fetch better price, it fails to ensure timely disposal of the stock at the good price (hence, the profit
gained by the disposal of some stocks is significantly affected by the poor disposal of the rest of
the stock) as the mechanism is affordable basically for big buyers, thereby limiting the number of
purchasers. Further, the traders manage to know beforehand the offset price; hence the prices
offered by them are accordingly adjusted. Meher hoped that if things are properly managed, then
the state would be able to successfully sale about 6 lakh quintals of kendu leaves annually. ]
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