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Beedi [ Abnus ] Leaf Trade
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State Trading in Beedi Leaf during the year 2002 - 2003 The Beedi leaf trade was Nationalised in all the 10 Districts of Telangana Region with effect from 9-11-1970 through the Andhra Pradesh Minor Forest Produce (Regulation of Trade) ordinance which was subsequently replaced by the A P Minor Forest Produce Act, 1971 (Act 4 of 1971). In the year 1987, the Departmental collection of Beedi Leaf was taken up by eliminating the middlemen and the A P Forest Development Corporation Limited was appointed as Agent to the Government which financed the Scheme with Margin Money provided by the Government and at the end of the financial year remits to the Government, all the net revenue after repayment of Bank Loans with interest and meeting the relevant components of expenditure as per the scheme. Thus from the year 1988-99 the Government accounts show only the net revenue realised by the Department as against the normal gross revenue figures shown till 1987-88. The Departmental Collection of Beedi Leaf Scheme is basically a social welfare scheme as it is totally labour oriented. There are in all 366 beedi laef units spread over all the 10 districts comprising of 22 Divisions of Telangana Region under 5 Territorial Circles and the Field Director, Project Tiger, Srisailam. Departmental collection of beedi leaf was continued upto 1996 season and local persons mainly from the tribals and weaker sections were appointed as khalladars to supervise the collection, curing bagging and transport of beedi leaf to godowns. Only good leaf fit for making at least one beedi was delivered to purchasers at godowns. Since 1997 the policy has been revised for collection of beedi leaf in Telangana Region where in the green leaf will be collected and handed over to the purchasers, on the day of collection. All operations like Pruning, Appointment of Khalladars, Curing, Handling, Transportation of leaf to godown will be taken up by the Purchasers only. Legislation on Beedi Leaf Collection & Trade:- Before introduction of State Trading in Abnus Leaves in 1971, the right to collect abnus leaves was sold by public Auction on lumpsum contract. The private pattadars too, used to sell Beedi Leaf growth in their holdings to the private contractors usually on negotiated terms. When demand and commercial value of beedi leaf had increased private contractors with the help of influential pattadars and local villagers started pilfering and smuggling beedi leaf from the Forests and Government lands leading to considerable loss of revenue to the Government. To arrest this trend, the matter was discussed by the Central Board of Forestry in 1953 which recommended legislative measures to control, the trade of beedi leaf. According the A P Minor Forest Produce (Regulation of Trade) ordinance was promulgated in 1970 which was subsequently replaced by Andhra Pradesh Minor Forest Produce (Regulation of Trade) Act, 1071 (Act No. 4 of 1971). The Provisions of which were brought into operation with effect from 9-11-1970 in the 10 Districts of Telangana Region of Andhra Pradesh, which are the maon Abnus Leaf growing areas of the State, under the Act the possibility of growers smuggling the leaves from the Government lands is eliminated and public trust is effectively secured. Besides payment of fair wages timely payment also ensured to the laborers who are mostly from the weaker sections of the society and tribals. STATEMENT - I YEARWISE EXPENDITURE AND REVENUE
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