The relaxation comes close on the heels of reports that the government is expected to increase the minimum support price (MSP) of these minor forest produce by 16-30 per cent.
The MSP and procurement of minor forest produce are done by the tribal affairs ministry.
The report said not only will be the MSP of existing minor forest produce increased but new products that include cardamom, turmeric, ginger, van tulsi, van jeera, and raw bamboo might be added to the basket so that cash reaches the vulnerable tribal communities during the COVID-19 lockdown.
That apart, the MHA guidelines have also allowed other major rural activities such as bamboo, cocoa, arecanut, cocoa and spices plantation all of which have come to a halt largely in southern India.
It has allowed harvesting, processing, packaging, sale and marketing of these products.
That apart, the cooperative credit societies that provide vital finance to the farmers ahead of the kharif sowing season in June to purchase seeds, fertilizers and other vital inputs have also been allowed to function with bare minimum staff.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in a press conference today decided to provide special financial facility of Rs 25,000 crore to NABARD for refinancing Regional Rural Banks that includes agriculture cooperatives and primary agriculture credit societies.
The MHA in continuation of its order issued a few days back has also allowed activities in rural areas such as water supply and sanitation, laying and erection of power transmission lines and laying of telecom optical fibre and cable. These at least in case of sanitation will help in restarting the Central schemes such as Swach Bharat Mission etc.
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