Association of Planters of Kerala urge state govt to abolish plantation tax and agricultural income tax

KOCHI: The Association of Planters of Kerala ( APK) has urged the state government to abolish plantation tax and agricultural income tax in the state budget that will be presented on Friday. The association also demanded the government to remove seigniorage on rubber trees and provide financial support for soil and conservation facilities as the state is facing one of the worst drought conditions.

The association chairman Thomas Jacob said the crop production has come down by 30 per cent in tea, 14 per cent in rubber, 60 per cent in cardamom and 40 per cent in coffee due to drought conditions. He said Kerala is the only state in the country which levies plantation tax.

In a pre-budget meeting with the Finance Minister Thomas Issac, the association said in view of the severe crop loss due to drought conditions, it may not be possible for the producers to offer work to the employees.

The association chairman has urged the government to look at the possibility of extending MNREGS programmes to the plantation workers during the summer season to mitigate the ill effect of climate change on employment.