Tamil Nadu - Erode

Bias in selling minor forest produce alleged

ERODE: Members of nine self-help groups (SHGs) from Bargur hills on Monday sought the Collector’s intervention in ensuring a level playing field for all SHGs in buying minor forest produce.

The SHGs’ contention was that minor forest produce, collected by tribals and sold with the help of Forest Department, had been sold to the same two SHGs in the last three years.

In auctioning the produce, other groups were excluded, they said and wanted to know the reason for the exclusion.

For participation in the auction, a group has to have certification from the Magalir Thittam (women’s development programme run by the State Government), stating that the group’s functioning is good, has maintained the record books well and managed the finances in an efficient way. This certification will allow the department to permit the SHGs to participate in the auction.

The SHGs said though they sent their applications to the Magalir Thittam as early as August 1, they had not had a reply yet and that groups that submitted applications much later than them had certification. They alleged that a couple of contractors buying the forest produce were behind the SHGs and that officers were also in their favour.

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