Navin Patnaik led coalition Government in Orissa is making a conscious attempt to woo the tribal Dalits. As a step towards this, the Government is reported to have decided to invest Gram Panchayats with powers for collection of minor forest produce. With about 60 MFF items likely to come under the control of Panchayats, liberal gatherers of forest produce would be saved from the exploitation of middlemen and private traders.