Dimapur, June 22 (MExN): The ‘Kisan & Khet Mazdoor Congress, Kohima,’ has made an appeal to the department of Commerce & Industry, government of Nagaland, for release of subsidy for ‘small tea growers/estates’ under Nagaland. It has been alleged that subsidies for small-scale tea growers and estates under Nagaland have not been released till date, despite reports of release of “huge amount” by the Central government in order to assist the tea growers in the region.
The chairman of the Mazdoor Congress, Shami Angh, has stated that despite release of huge amount by the Central government in order to assist the tea growers in the region, “allocation of subsidy for tea growers/estates under Nagaland state have been stopped by the Tea Board India, due to various allegations of bogus claims.”
Pointing out that there are many legitimate small tea growers and estates in the state of Nagaland which have made huge investments and are well-maintained, Angh added that it was on record that the office of the Tea Board India at Jorhat had accordingly recommended the allocation of subsidy to all genuine tea growers after physical verification. However, due to certain “unscrupulous individuals”, genuine tea growers are being made to suffer, he added.
Hence, in order to ascertain the genuineness of applications for subsidy and to encourage the legitimate small tea growers/estates in the state, the Kisan & Khet Mazdoor Congress has insisted that the department of Commerce & Industry undertake spot verification of the small tea estates/growers and their prospects. The Mazdoor Congress has also requested that the department then report their findings to the Tea Board India offices at Guwahati and Jorhat “so as to facilitate granting subsidy to the deserving tea growers/estates in Nagaland and also to further persuade the genuine tea growers of the state”.
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