ZEPADA for 90 pc subsidy
Source: The Sangai Express / S Singlianmang Guite
Lamka, June 06 2011:
Zomi Economic Planning and Development Agency has among others demanded for enhancement of plantation subsidy from the current 33 percent to 90 percent as was the case for the North Eastern States in other grants.
A team led by ZEPADA Director (Farming Division), Kapbanyan has made the demand during the consultative workshop on plantation for the 12th Five Year Plan held at Guwahati and attended by officials from the Tea Board, Coffee Board, Spices Board, Rubber Board and stake holders, including the NGOs.
Incidentally, the workshop that was chaired by Vijaya Laxmi Joshi, Additional Secretary Plantation, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, GOI was attended by officials from all the North Eastern States but Manipur, said the ZEPADA Director.
Besides the 90:10 ratio on share of expenditure, the agency has suggested growers' welfare schemes and transport subsidy for Manipur in exporting its plantation products due to the exceptional transport setback.
Establishing of coffee auction centre in the region and spices park for each of the States and construction of storage facility and semi-processing units have also been raised by ZEPADA during the workshop.