Charan Paduka Yojana is a welfare initiative of the Chhattisgarh Forest Department, implemented in collaboration with the Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce Federation. The scheme provides free footwear every year to eligible tendu leaf collectors, helping them work safely in forest areas. Beneficiaries do not need to submit any online application, registration with the local Primary Forest Co-operative Society and participation in distribution camps are sufficient.
Chhattisgarh Charan Paduka Yojana Highlights | |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Charan Paduka Yojana (चरण पादुका योजना) |
| Initial Launch | November 2005 |
| Scheme Discontinued | February 2019 |
| Relaunched On | 21 June 2025 at Tapkara, Jashpur |
| Relaunched By | Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai |
| Implementing Authorities | Chhattisgarh Forest Department and CG Minor Forest Produce Federation |
| Main Objective | Protect tendu leaf collectors from injuries and occupational risks while working in forests |
| Benefit Provided | One free pair of footwear per eligible beneficiary every year |
| Footwear Quality | Durable footwear with a one-year warranty |
| Minimum Age | 18 years or above |
| Eligible Occupation | Registered tendu leaf collector |
| Residence Requirement | Permanent resident of Chhattisgarh |
| Family Coverage | Maximum 2 eligible members per family |
| Gender Coverage | Women collectors (2025) and both men & women collectors (2026 onwards) |
| 2025 Allocation | Rs. 40 crore for approximately 12.40 lakh collector families |
| 2026 Allocation | Rs. 50 crore |
| Procurement Method | Government e-Marketplace (GeM) |
| Application Process | No separate application; beneficiary identification through Forest Co-operative Societies |
| Related Collector Support | Tendu leaf procurement rate fixed at Rs. 5,500 per standard sack |
| Official Federation Portal | cgmfpfed.org |
| Forest Department Portal | forest.cg.gov.in |
Introduction of Chhattisgarh Charan Paduka Yojana: A Brief Insight
Every year during the tendu leaf collection season, lakhs of families across Chhattisgarh travel deep into forest areas to collect tendu leaves. This work often requires walking long distances through rough terrain filled with thorns, stones, and other hazards. To support these forest workers and improve their safety, the Government of Chhattisgarh launched the Charan Paduka Yojana in November 2005. The scheme was later revived and relaunched on 21 June 2025 by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai.
The scheme is implemented by the Chhattisgarh Forest Department in association with the Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce (Trading & Development) Co-operative Federation Limited. Its primary objective is to protect tendu leaf collectors from injuries and health risks while acknowledging their important contribution to the state’s forest-based economy.
Under this scheme, eligible tendu leaf collectors receive a free pair of quality footwear every year. The footwear is designed to withstand forest conditions and help protect collectors from cuts, thorns, sharp stones, and other common risks faced during collection work.
At present, up to two eligible members from a family, aged 18 years or above, can receive the benefit. The footwear is supplied with a one-year warranty and is procured through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) to ensure transparency and quality.
The relaunch of the scheme in 2025 covered around 12.40 lakh tendu leaf collector families with a budget provision of Rs. 40 crore. In 2026, the government further expanded the scheme to include eligible male collectors alongside women beneficiaries, with a budget allocation of Rs. 50 crore.
One of the biggest advantages of Charan Paduka Yojana is its simple delivery process. Beneficiaries do not need to fill out any online application form. Eligible collectors are identified through records maintained by the Forest Department and Primary Forest Co-operative Societies, and footwear is distributed through special camps organised during the tendu leaf season.
If you are a registered tendu leaf collector and wish to know about upcoming distribution camps, you can contact your nearest Forest Range Office, District Forest Office, or Primary Forest Co-operative Society for assistance.
Women in tendu leaf collector families can also check their eligibility under the Mahatari Vandan Yojana, which provides monthly financial assistance to eligible women across Chhattisgarh. Tribal students in these families can additionally explore support under the Rani Durgavati Yojana, while women interested in the power sector can look at the Bijli Sakhi Yojana, which trains rural women to support electricity distribution and billing work in their communities.
Tendu leaf collectors, tribal families, and anyone looking for more forest, welfare, and livelihood schemes available under the Chhattisgarh Government can explore all available programmes on our Chhattisgarh Government Schemes page.
Benefits Provided to Eligible Beneficiaries
Through Charan Paduka Yojana, the Chhattisgarh Forest Department and CGMFP Federation provide safety-focused support to tendu leaf collectors who spend long hours working in forests during the collection season.
Free Footwear Distribution
- Free footwear is provided to eligible tendu leaf collectors every year
- Male beneficiaries receive shoes, while female beneficiaries receive sandals/chappals as per the approved distribution pattern
- No payment is required from beneficiaries to receive the footwear
- The footwear is specially selected to withstand rough forest conditions and daily outdoor use
- Each pair is supplied with a one-year warranty
Safety and Protection During Forest Work
- Helps protect feet from thorns, stones, sharp objects, and uneven forest terrain
- Reduces the risk of cuts, injuries, and infections during tendu leaf collection
- Provides greater comfort while walking long distances inside forest areas
- Supports the health and well-being of tendu leaf collectors during the collection season
Transparent Procurement System
- Footwear is procured through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal
- Ensures quality standards and transparency in the purchase process
- Helps prevent irregularities in procurement and distribution
Scheme Coverage and Budget
| Year | Budget Allocation | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Rs. 40 Crore | Benefit distribution focused primarily on women tendu leaf collectors and their families |
| 2026 | Rs. 50 Crore | Coverage expanded to include eligible male tendu leaf collectors as well |
Other Welfare Benefits Available to Tendu Leaf Collectors
Apart from Charan Paduka Yojana, eligible tendu leaf collector families may also receive support under other welfare programmes operated by the Forest Department and CGMFP Federation.
- Share in tendu leaf collection proceeds
- Educational assistance and scholarships for children
- Health-related support schemes
- Accidental insurance and social security benefits
- Benefits linked to Minimum Support Price (MSP) for minor forest produce
- Support measures announced periodically for registered tendu leaf collectors
Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled
To receive benefits under Charan Paduka Yojana, beneficiaries must satisfy the eligibility conditions prescribed by the Chhattisgarh Forest Department and the Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce (Trading & Development) Co-operative Federation Limited (CGMFP Federation).
- Must be a permanent resident of Chhattisgarh
- Must be engaged in tendu leaf (tendupatta) collection work
- Must be registered with the concerned Primary Forest Co-operative Society or recognised by the Forest Department as a tendu leaf collector
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- A maximum of 2 eligible members from the same family can receive benefits under the scheme
Coverage for Women and Men Collectors
- During its relaunch in 2025, the scheme primarily targeted women tendu leaf collectors
- From 2026 onwards, the benefit was expanded to cover eligible male collectors as well
- At present, both women and men involved in tendu leaf collection can receive benefits, subject to eligibility conditions
Who Is Not Eligible?
- Persons who are not residents of Chhattisgarh
- Individuals not engaged in tendu leaf collection activities
- Persons below 18 years of age
- Families seeking benefits for more than two eligible members
- Individuals whose names are not recorded or verified through the recognised collector database, wherever such verification is required
Documents Required to be Attached
Most beneficiaries under Charan Paduka Yojana are identified through records maintained by the Forest Department and Primary Forest Co-operative Societies. However, eligible tendu leaf collectors should keep the following documents ready whenever verification or beneficiary registration is conducted:
- Aadhaar Card
- Voter ID Card, Ration Card, or any valid identity proof
- Domicile Certificate of Chhattisgarh
- Tendu Leaf Collector Registration Card, if available
- Forest Department-issued identity card or beneficiary record
- Panchayat certificate confirming tendu leaf collection work, where required
- Details of eligible family members, as benefits are generally limited to up to two members per family
- Recent passport-size photograph
How Beneficiaries Can Apply to Avail the Benefit of the Scheme
Charan Paduka Yojana is very simple. You don’t need to fill out any online form or visit a website. If you collect tendu leaves and your name is recorded with the Forest Department, you can receive the benefit through the local distribution system.
Let’s understand the process step by step:
Step 1: First, make sure your name is registered as a tendu leaf collector with your local Primary Forest Co-operative Society or the Forest Department.
Step 2: During the tendu leaf collection season, continue submitting your collected tendu leaves at the designated collection centre. This helps maintain your record as an active collector.
Step 3: Keep basic documents such as your Aadhaar Card and collector details ready. These may be required if officials need to verify your identity.
Step 4: The Forest Department and Co-operative Society prepare a list of eligible beneficiaries. They verify who is actively involved in tendu leaf collection and identify eligible family members.
Step 5: Once the beneficiary list is finalised, the Forest Department announces the date and location of the Charan Paduka distribution camp. Information is usually shared through local forest offices, panchayats, collection centres, or society representatives.
Step 6: Visit the distribution camp on the scheduled date with your identity proof. After verification, you will receive your free footwear directly from the concerned officials.
Step 7: Check the footwear properly before leaving the camp. Since the footwear comes with a warranty, you should immediately inform officials if there is any issue with size or quality.
Important: You do not need to pay any fee to receive benefits under Charan Paduka Yojana. There is also no official online application portal for this scheme. If someone asks for money or claims they can register you through an unofficial website, be cautious and contact your nearest Forest Range Office, Primary Forest Co-operative Society, or District Forest Office for correct information.
Important Links Available of the Scheme
- Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce Federation Welfare Schemes Page
- Chhattisgarh Forest Department Official Portal
Contact Details in Case of Help Needed
- Nodal Agency: Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce (Trading & Development) Co-operative Federation Limited, in coordination with the Forest Department
- Local Level: Contact your nearest Forest Range Office or Primary Forest Co-operative Society
- District Level: Contact your District Forest Office for distribution schedule and grievance queries
- Community Level: Reach out to your local Panchayat or Gram Sabha for beneficiary identification support
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What is Charan Paduka Yojana?
Ans. Charan Paduka Yojana is a welfare scheme of the Chhattisgarh Government that provides free footwear to registered tendu leaf collectors. The scheme aims to protect collectors from injuries and make forest work safer and more comfortable.
Q. Who can get benefits under Charan Paduka Yojana?
Ans. Permanent residents of Chhattisgarh who are registered tendu leaf collectors and are at least 18 years old can receive benefits under the scheme. Generally, up to two eligible members from a family can be covered.
Q. What benefit is provided under this scheme?
Ans. Eligible beneficiaries receive one pair of free footwear every year. The footwear is specially designed for forest work and helps protect collectors from thorns, stones, and rough terrain.
Q. Do beneficiaries have to pay anything for the footwear?
Ans. No. The footwear is provided completely free of cost by the government. Beneficiaries are not required to pay any registration fee or distribution charge.
Q. Is there any online application form for Charan Paduka Yojana?
Ans. No. There is currently no separate online application process for this scheme. Eligible beneficiaries are identified through records maintained by the Forest Department and Primary Forest Co-operative Societies.
Q. How will I know when footwear distribution is taking place?
Ans. Distribution information is usually shared through local Forest Range Offices, Primary Forest Co-operative Societies, collection centres, panchayats, and public announcements in the area.
Q. Can both men and women receive benefits under the scheme?
Ans. Yes. The scheme now covers both eligible male and female tendu leaf collectors, subject to the prescribed eligibility conditions.
Q. What documents may be required during verification?
Ans. Beneficiaries may be asked to produce documents such as Aadhaar Card, domicile proof, collector registration details, and other identity documents for verification purposes.
Q. Does the footwear come with any warranty?
Ans. Yes. The footwear distributed under the scheme is supplied with a one-year warranty to ensure quality and durability.
Q. Are there any other welfare benefits available for tendu leaf collectors?
Ans. Yes. Registered tendu leaf collector families may also be eligible for various welfare measures such as scholarships for children, insurance benefits, health assistance, and other support schemes operated by the Forest Department and CGMFP Federation.
Q. Can a person who is not a tendu leaf collector apply for this scheme?
Ans. No. The scheme is specifically meant for tendu leaf collectors. People who are not engaged in tendu leaf collection activities are not eligible for the benefit.
Q. Where can I get help regarding Charan Paduka Yojana?
Ans. You can contact your nearest Forest Range Office, District Forest Office, or Primary Forest Co-operative Society for information related to eligibility, verification, and distribution schedules.
Tabassum is a government schemes researcher and writer with 5 years of experience tracking Central and State welfare scheme programmes across India. She has covered 500+ schemes spanning agriculture, women welfare, education, and housing, helping lakhs of beneficiaries understand their entitlements in simple language.