Kendu leaf pluckers in Mayurbhanj district, Odisha, are facing significant financial losses as government rates per bundle have decreased from 2.50 INR to 1.60 INR. Due to a lack of government collection centers (Phadis) in several areas, pluckers are forced to sell to middlemen from neighboring states at lower prices. The reduction in social security benefits and non-payment of bonuses due to declining government sales and GST-free illegal trading are further impacting the livelihoods of over 10,000 workers, mostly tribal women. https://sambad.in/district/mayurbhanj/mayurbhanj-kendu-leaf-collectors-loss-middlemen-odia-news-11877291 #creator program