TN Govt redused tax on tea
Udhamandalam: The Tamil Nadu Government on Wednesday brought down the tax on tea from 4 per cent to 1 per cent.Participating in a function organised by the district administration to distribute welfare assistance, Rural Development and Local Administration Minister M.K. Stalin said here that earlier, the DMK Government had reduced the tax from 8 per cent to 4 per cent.The tea industry had been urging the Government to bring it down to 2 per cent. Chief Minister Karunanidhi went one step further and brought it down to 1 per cent. It would help small tea growers get higher prices for their produce.Pointing out that it reflected the Government's concern for the tea sector, he said during the previous regime, the file for reducing the tax from 8 to 4 per cent was sent thrice to the then Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. However, it was returned without being signed.Stating that the Karunanidhi Government was fulfilling its poll promises systematically, Mr. Stalin said even benefits not promised were being extended. In implementing the free TV scheme, finance was not a constraint. However there was a delay in procuring the sets. All family cardholders would get them in a phased manner.
As a result of the numerous schemes being implemented for self help groups, the quality of life of women in the State had improved considerably. The situation now was that without the support of women nothing could be achieved.Pointing out that he had gone all over the State to get a feel of his department, Mr. Stalin said though the Nilgiris was the last district on his itinerary, it was a frontrunner in many ways.Charging the former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa with putting up unauthorised constructions at her tea estate in Kodanad near here, he said she continued to be inaccessible even to her party activists.
Khadi Board Minister K. Ramachandran said during the last one year many vacancies of doctors and teachers were filled. Minister for Rural Industries Pongalur N Palanisamy said that the Government was going all out for the uplift of people.Handlooms Minister N.K.K.P. Raja said Mr. Karunanidhi was leading by example.Director, Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women, N.K. Perumal, Ooty MLA B. Gopalan and Coonoor MLA A. Soundarapandianalso spoke.
Mr. Stalin laid foundation stones for a few projects and inaugurated some others.
