Madhya Pradesh Rajya Laghu Vanopaj Sangh is planning to undertake plantation with a view to increasing production of Tendu leaves in the state. The work of plantation will be undertaken soon. After growing of these trees, the Tendu leaf collectors will be able to collect Tendu leaves from nearby areas. Decision were also taken to set a target to collect 4000 tonnes of Saal seeds and increase the number of processing centre to increase the sale of medicinal raw material. These decisions were taken at the annual general body meeting of the Sangh here recently. The meeting was chaired by Sangh's Chairman Vishwas Sarang. It was attended by representatives of various districts. Vishwas Sarang informed the meeting that the Sangh is committed to the development and prosperity of forest dwellers through the collection and sale of forest produce. He called for moving ahead towards the lofty target while carrying out activities of the Sangh as a cooperative movement. The meeting endorsed the decisions to continue Social Security Group Insurance Scheme cover for Tendu leaf collectors and keeping National Labour Cooperatives Federation of India Limited, New Delhi as Sangh's representative. The decisions to spend Rs 14 lakh on the winners of Basavan Mama Memorial Award and Rs 6 lakh on the winners of Shaheed Amrita Devi Award were also endorsed. Discussion was also taken up for extending quality education to the children of Tendu leaf collectors and covering them under Group Insurance Scheme. Approval was also granted to given Rs 500 and Rs 1000 bonus respectively to the daily wage workers who have completed 10 and 20 years of service. This will be applicable with effect from September 1, 2008. Managing Director Shri Ramesh K Dave while throwing light on the activities of the Sangh also presented various proposals. He informed that income to the tune of Rs 342.33 crore is expected as per the budget for the year 2009-10. After deducting all the expenses the net income will come around to Rs 113.21 crore. This amount will be payable to primary societies. As many as 20 lakh standard bags of Tendu leaves have been collected during the year 2009 and about 90 percent payment has been made to Tendu leaf collectors. Dave informed that a target has been set to collect 4000 tonnes of Saal seeds this year. Against it, so far 3000 tonnes of Saal seeds have been collected which is highest during the last six years. For the year 2007 collectors were paid bonus to the tune of Rs 115.31 crore. He said that a series of Sanjeevani Sale Centres and dealers have been set up to market medicinal products. Many schemes conforming to the norms set by National Medicinal Plants Board are also being implemented in the State and constant progress is being made in the production of medicinal raw material. Processing centres are also being increased.