Bhubaneswar, July 12: Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik today announced that all kendu leaf binders of the state would be given lanterns, mosquito nets and blankets free of cost in what is seen as another effort to give a boost to his pro-tribal image.

About 18,000 kendu leaf binders, all from tribal families, will benefit from the scheme.

The Odisha government made the announcement today amidst claims and counterclaims by the Biju Janata Dal and the Opposition — Congress — about their pro-tribal images.

Apart from political bindings over the presidential election, the Odisha government has also been under pressure from Maoists to give more doles to the kendu leaf workers.

In the past month, the Maoists had set ablaze a number of kendu leaf collection centres demanding higher wages for kendu leaf workers. The demands of the Maoists included a hike in the purchase price of each phadi (a bundle containing 40 pieces of kendu leaves) from 40 paise to Re 1, an increase in watchers’ wage from Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 and a raise in daily wage of gochhakatas (forest cleaners) and other such labourers to Rs 150 from the existing rate of Rs 100.