National Commission for Women Chairman Lalitha Kumaramangalam today assured the plantation industry that the NCW would take up the problems being faced by them, particularly that of the tea sector.
Inaugurating the 122nd Annual Conference of United Planters' Association of Southern India (UPASI) here, she said she was sad to note that the tea industry, once a sunshine industry, was going through a rough patch, as the cost of production was more than that price realisation.
Responding to the remarks of outgoing UPASI President, Vijayan Rajesh, who highlighted labour-related problems and the different types of taxes levied on the plantation sector, despite it being an agricultural industry, Lalitha said she would talk to the ministry concerned and Commerce Minister Nirmala Seetharaman to ease their problems.
Stating that she was concerned about growers who were selling small holdings, she admitted there was too much pressure on land and water and suggested that the private sector should coordinate with the Centre to conduct proper research and development in the field.
Lalitha said she came to know about the problems of commodities boards which are being run without permanent chairmen and said, "Delhi is a city with different culture. You should make lot of noise to be heard to the seat of power. Then only you can stay afloat."
She said the Centre was committed to protecting all industries and added that once GST became a reality, most tax problems would "fade away".
