Tea plantation panel proposes 10% area for alternative crops
According to proposal, the plantations should be allowed to use their facilities for eco-tourism without changing the character of the plantation.
By PK Krishnakumar, TNN |
KOCHI: Allowing 10% area for alternative cropping, imposing additional excise duty of Rs 1 per kg on packet tea to subsidise welfare activities and addition of nature identical flavour to tea with proper declaration are some of the important recommendations made by the committee formed by the Centre to review the application of the central and state legislative measures in tea plantations.
Calling for uniformity in the implementation of Plantaions Labour Act, 1951, in the country, the committee headed by O P Arya, additional secretary (plantations), department of commerce, which submitted its report to the government, has said that specific provisions should be included in the lease agreement permitting alternative cropping, which, however, should not exceed 10% of the total area. The plantations should be allowed to use their facilities for eco-tourism without changing the character of the plantation, it said.
The committee felt that additional funds may be mobilised by charging additional excise duty of Rs 1 per kg on packet tea for subsidising the facilities of medical, health, drinking water and education. Such duty leviable on the tea that is not exported will realise around Rs 35 crore a year, which can be made available to the Tea Board for subsidising welfare activities.
Another recommendation from the committee is that nature identical flavour may be allowed to be added to tea for marketing as flavoured tea with a declaration in the label.
Calling for uniformity in the implementation of Plantaions Labour Act, 1951, in the country, the committee headed by O P Arya, additional secretary (plantations), department of commerce, which submitted its report to the government, has said that specific provisions should be included in the lease agreement permitting alternative cropping, which, however, should not exceed 10% of the total area. The plantations should be allowed to use their facilities for eco-tourism without changing the character of the plantation, it said.
The committee felt that additional funds may be mobilised by charging additional excise duty of Rs 1 per kg on packet tea for subsidising the facilities of medical, health, drinking water and education. Such duty leviable on the tea that is not exported will realise around Rs 35 crore a year, which can be made available to the Tea Board for subsidising welfare activities.
Another recommendation from the committee is that nature identical flavour may be allowed to be added to tea for marketing as flavoured tea with a declaration in the label.
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