The Hindu Business Line : GCC hikes procurement prices for some products

Visakhapatnam, Dec. 8 The Girijan Co-operative Corporation (GCC) here has increased the procurement prices of some forest produce, previously known as minor forest produce and now called non-timber forest produce, to achieve turnover target of Rs 220 crore and also to help the Girijans by making the collection of such produce viable.

According to the General Manager, Marketing, Mr S.A. Adinarayana, the procurement price of dry amla has been hiked from Rs 17 to Rs 20 a kg, nux vomica (mushdiki) from Rs 15 to Rs 17 a kg, gum karaya from Rs 140 to Rs 150 for grade 1 variety, from Rs 100 to Rs 110 for grade 2 variety, and from Rs 75 to Rs 85 per kg for the grade 3 variety. Further, the price of karakaya has gone up from Rs 4 to Rs 5 a kg.

It is to be noted that the Girijans in the agency areas of Visakhapatnam and East Godavari districts are now less dependant on the collection of non-timber forest produce, as the Government is taking up a number of projects under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme.

They are being paid Rs 80 a day for at least 100 days a year. Therefore, there is no incentive for them to go into the interior areas for collection of produce. To induce the Girijans to take up the task, the procurement prices have been hiked.

The corporation is also making endeavours to improve its business at the daily requirement depots in the tribal tracts. Only essential commodities are being supplied through these depots but from now GCC wants to sell all sorts of products through its 839 depots, aiming at a turnover of Rs 170 crore this financial year.

GCC, however, is facing a problem with the piled-up stocks of tamarind, 22,000 quintals, and is unable to liquidate them.

The procurement price offered to Girijans is Rs 7 a kg and after addition of transport charges the commodity should be sold at least at 9.50 a kg, but even at Rs 7.30 a kg, there are no takers. The new season begins soon and there will be fresh arrivals.

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