The Hindu Business Line : TN withdraws tax on rice

This tax was introduced in 2002-03 Budget and met with widespread protests from the traders. In a statement in the Assembly on Monday, the Commercial Taxes Minister, Mr S.M. Velusamy, said the tax had been withdrawn keeping in mind the interests of the public and to prevent increase in prices in the open market.

Paddy production was affected because of the failure of the south-west monsoon and the non-release of Cauvery water by Karnataka.

In another announcement in the Assembly, the Chief Minister, Ms J. Jayalalithaa, said the Government would give gift hampers worth Rs 210 each plus Rs 50 in cash to about 10 lakh farm workers in the Cauvery delta.

The hampers would have among other things 10 kg of rice, one kg of sugar, 250 g of sweets, 100 g of ghee, and some vegetables. This would cost the Government Rs 21 crore. The Government was giving the gift hamper in view of Deepavali and also because the short term kuruvai crop had been affected.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail
Comment on this article to BLFeedback@thehindu.co.in

Stories in this Section
Tax evasion in sale of arecanut unearthed in Karnataka

Rubber rises on fresh demand

Low sugar prices take toll on Balrampur Chini

TN withdraws tax on rice

Firm global coffee rates spark hope

Healing spice

Hybrid seeds production turning lucrative business