The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Planters want waiver of agricultural income tax

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Thursday, Nov 06, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Planters want waiver of agricultural income tax

Special Correspondent

Incentives for mechanisation of plantation operations sought

Planters demand improvement of road-connectivity to plantations
Frequent power failures hinder the running
of plantations

BANGALORE: The Karnataka Planters’ Association (KPA) here has demanded that the Government take the initiative to improve the plantation sector. Some of the demands they have placed before the Government include, waiver of agricultural income tax, incentives for mechanisation of plantation operations, road connectivity to the plantation areas, and early completion of Kadur - Chikmagalur - Belur- Sakleshpur railway line, to facilitate free movement of labour as well as goods to the plantation areas.

The association chairman C.M. Pemmaiah, in his speech at the golden jubilee annual conference of the KPA here on Wednesday, said the area covered by plantations include Hassan, Chikmagalur, Kodagu, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Mysore and Shimoga, and all these districts had bad roads. Since they were the major link to the markets, the roads had to be in good condition, he said. He added that the districts were also major tourist destinations of the State and estate tourism and farm tourism were also fast catching up as major revenue-earners. Without good motorable roads the districts would lose their relevance, he said. Mr. Pemmaiah said Kerala and Tamil Nadu had exempted the plantation sector from agricultural income tax and the association wanted the State Government to bring the exemption in the State also, he added.

Power disruption

Mr. Pemmaiah also said that failing electricity was yet another hurdle for plantations. Frequent power failures were hindering maintenance of plantations and the processing of plantation produce. As a result, the produce was losing its value in the market as it could not reach the market place on time. The association had made representations to the Government and KPTCL on several occasions, but there was no response, he added.

The association also has appealed to the Government to expeditiously complete the Kadur-Chikmagalur-Belur-Sakleshpur railway line as the route would open up new vistas for the rich plantation area. Transportation of fertilisers, chemicals, crops, timber and manpower movement would be easier, the association said. The railway line would also open up more avenues for development of tourism.

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