The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : YSR promises all help to toddy-tappers

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Sunday, Jan 02, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

YSR promises all help to toddy-tappers

By Our Staff Reporter

HINDUPUR, JAN. 1. The Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, has said the Government is contemplating new policies to improve the living standards of toddy-tappers. The new excise policy announced in 2004 is one step in that direction.

Speaking after laying the foundation stone for construction of an Arya Eediga Samkshema hostel here on Saturday, the Chief Minister reiterated that toddy-tappers would be helped by all means by the Congress Government.

Bank loans

The Chief Minister assured that bank loans would be given to toddy-tappers who had lost employment due to the new excise policy as part of the self-employment.

Excise policy

The excise policy implemented by the previous Government had only helped a few in Hyderabad make huge money without any sweat.

Cancellation of the licences of toddy societies which had no toddy groves within a radius of 50 km was a measure taken against the individual who had been making money at the cost of toddy-tappers, the Chief Minister explained.

While the toddy-tappers or societies were pay Rs. 200 to 350 tax per annum per every tree in the previous regime, it was reduced to Rs. 50 by the new policy, the Chief Minister noted.

Thus, a burden of Rs. 57 crores was eased on the tappers, he said.

Tax reduction

Giving the example of Anantapur, Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy said while a tax of Rs. 88 lakhs was being collected as per the old policy, it was reduced to Rs. 44 lakhs by the new policy.

Join Congress

The Minister for Panchayat Raj, J.C. Diwakar Reddy, the Minister for Agriculture, N. Raghuveera Reddy, the legislators -- B. Narayana Reddy, S. Sailajanath and P. Ranganayakulu -- the Members of Parliament -- A. Venkatarami Reddy and D. Nizamuddin -- were among others who attended the stone-laying function.

Later, about 1,000 Telugu Desam workers , led by the former mandal parishad president, Govindappa, joined the Congress in the presence of the Chief Minister.

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