Karnataka: Excise lobby causes hiccups to desi Neera

The State Neera Policy not implemented after 3 months of formulation. The Policy was implemented to empower coconut growers. All preparations are completed and waiting for clearance from Excise Department. Neera may affect liquor consumption which is the cause for concern for Excise lobby.

The State Neera Policy formulated with an intention of helping distressed coconut growers has not taken off even after 3 months of coming into effect.  It is widely suspected that there is a hand of Excise lobby at work as Neera may affect adversely the liquor consumption. In fact, the Excise Act was amended to facilitate Neera production in the State. However, various departments are not coming forward to cooperate in this regard, reported Kannada Prabha.

Files related to this are flying between Excise Department, Legal Department and Finance Department for the past 3 months but with no results. Officials are not taking any interest into it, it is reported.

The State Government had allocated Rs 3 crore in the current budget for developing Neera and to establish Neera processing units.  Around 18 companies, including farmers, are registered with the Cooperative Department for production of Neera. Subsidies of 25 per cent and 50 per cent are declared by both Central and State governments respectively.

However, the Excise Department has not give its green signal stating that the policy is not yet formulated. The registered companies are waiting anxiously for the go-ahead, informed Prabhash Chandra Ray, Horticulture Department Commissioner.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra has denied delay in the process and said legal department has already approved and forwarded the file to Finance Department. He is not aware about the whereabout of the file presently.

The Karnataka Excise (Neera) Regulations has already been prepared by the Excise Department. The government has come forward to promote Neera as a nutritious drink, sanctioned licenses to coconut companies and also to market and provide other facilities.  Grants are being sanctioned under Technology Mission on Coconut by the Coconut Board.  All these are yet to be implemented as the Excise Department is sitting on its policy.

Neera production is not new to the State. In the 60s the Khadi Board had taken up Neera production along with jaggery and sugar production from Neera in a small scale as cottage industry. Producing Neera helps both the coconut tree and the farmers. Neera can be stored for 6 months. Farmers are eagerly awaiting the full fledged implementation of Neera Policy in the State.