UPASI chief calls for attitudinal change

By Our Staff Reporter

UDHAGAMANDALAM, SEPT. 12 ``An attitudinal change is needed in respect of all concerned with the plantation industry'',said Mr.I.J.J.Rebello, the new President of the United Planters Association of Southern India (UPASI)in a statement issued at Coonoor today.

Pointing out that what the industry wanted was a level playing field - an issue where ``the remedy lies at home and not at the doorstep of the WTO'', he said that while the Central Government has to do a lot like reviewing the duty-free import scheme for re-exports,checking imports for quality standards,plugging the scope for under-invoicing of imports by prescribing tariff values,streamlining the issue of certificate of origin,publicing import data etc,``the industry also cannot lag behind''.

Quality is an important aspect on which the industry should concentrate, and added that the State governments have also to play an important role,especially in respect of a level playing field.

Land policies should be flexible and crop diversification should be facilitated by exempting more crops from land ceiling provisions.Agricultural Income tax rates for plantations should be brought down to be on par with the rates under Central Income Tax.Stating that the entire labour laws and procedures,especially those relating to wages, need a de novo look,Mr.Rebello opined,``rampant adulteration is another area in which the State governments have to take stringent measures''.

He said that he had climbed to the helm of the UPASI at a crucial time when all the major plantations - tea,coffee and rubber - are passing through a crisis arising from prices prevailing at levels far below the cost of production and seem to be fast moving towards a point of no return. ``The insulation we enjoyed all along at the home market is no longer there and we should be prepared for the shock''.The once-in-three years wage negotiations are round the corner and the planters would have to do a lot of convincing with the labour unions about the industry's plight.

However,the UPASI chief added that though the situation was dismal leading to pessimism, he did not want to give the impression that he was a defeatist. All the segments connected with the plantation industry - the Central and State governments,the industry,trade and labour must work together to come out of the current imbroglio.

As an immediate relief the excise duty of Rs. 2 per kilogram on tea could be withdrawn, consumption of both tea and coffee needs to be promoted,while newer usage of rubber should be encouraged.Ways and means should be evolved for the growers to get better returns in the value chain.

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Section  : Southern States
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