Upasi expresses concern at the government action against Harrisons Malayalam

KOCHI: The United Planters’ Association of Southern India ( Upasi) has expressed its concern about certain developments in Kerala targeting plantations which, it feels, would jeopardize the existence of many estates. There have been many instances in the recent past of the government revoking the leases of plantations and taking over the land on trivial grounds.

Mr. Peter Mathias, president of Upasi said it was unfortunate that Kerala government has targeted Harrisons Malayalam Ltd (HML), one of the largest plantation companies in South India with major stakes in tea and rubber; alleging illegal possession of land with forged documents. The estates under the possession of HML have been members of UPASI for more than a century. We are distressed to hear about criminal cases registered against senior executives of a well organized and well respected plantation entity like HML.

UPASI has further voiced its fear that more plantations could be targets of such action, as a result of which the reputation of the plantation sector as a whole gets jeopardized. This would affect a large number of workers in rural areas and also the economy of the state, he said in a statement.