ANSTGA plea to release subsidy

Underscoring the grievances faced by tea growers in Nagaland, the All Nagaland Small Tea Growers’ Association (ANSTGA) has urged the Tea Board of India to release the subsidy with regard to those tea growers who were already inspected and found genuine and to conduct the second phase of inspection/verification at the earliest for the interest of the tea growers.

The association in a press statement by its president, D. Hukiye Kibami pointed out that the association since its formation in February 2009 has been taking full initiative to sought disposal of the pending plantation subsidy under 10/5 plan from the Tea Broad of India. And accordingly, in April 2009 the board issued the concept paper to the Government of Nagaland, for which the association took the initiative to meet the team leader- The APC Government of Nagaland, however despite many attempt the association could not meet the team leader due to tight schedule, the association stated. It also alleged that except the team leader, the ANSTGA met all the other officials mentioned in the concept paper and the chief secretary of Nagaland and submitted a representation with regard to the issue of the Tea growers of Nagaland. However, despite best and all possible effort the Government of Nagaland failed to take any initiative to conduct the screening of the tea growers for the purpose of tea board subsidy, ANGSTA stated. The association said that it was only in January 2010 the Tea Board of India considering the plight of the tea growers of Nagaland conducted the first phase of physical verification/inspection as proposal (B) of the concept paper.

Meanwhile, the ANGSTA has inducted former MLA, Shami Angh as the advisor of the association.

Source: Nagaland Post