Nagpur: Delay in auction of tendu patta for 2022 season in non-scheduled and non-community forest rights (CFR) areas is likely to cause huge revenue loss to the state government.
Last year, the tendu auction began on January 2, and out of the total 277 units listed in the first round, Rs 38 crore was garnered from the sale of 144 units.
APCCF (conservation) Praveen Chavan, holding additional charge of APCCF (non-timber forest produce), admits, “This year the auction process has been delayed by a month. We have floated the tenders and the first round will be held on February 1.
However, the first round has started in the neighboring states of Madhya Pradesh and two rounds of auction have been held in Chhattisgarh. Large tendu units have been sold in both the states. However, the process has not started in Maharashtra yet.
In Maharashtra the tender notice was published on January 20, whereas in the last five years, the tender notice was always published in the first week of December, and the tenders were opened in the last week of December or the first week of January. By the end of January, about three rounds of sales would have been completed.
Forest officials attribute the delay to non-availability of regular APCCF for more than 6 months. The post is being looked after with additional charge. Due to the delay in the tender process, it is possible that many tendu units in Maharashtra may remain unsold. “This will lead to theft of tendu patta by the contractors, who join hands with the officials concerned,” he said.
Not only is the auction process getting delayed, but bonuses are also being distributed to tendu collectors for the 2021 season. It is a major source of income for the poor villagers, especially in the tribal area of Gadchiroli and Chandrapur.
Sources said the expected bonus amount for the 2021 tendu season is around Rs 25-30 crore. This amount will be distributed to 1.85 lakh families.
Chavan said, “I am not aware of the status of tendu bonus. We have to investigate and submit a proposal to the state government.
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