Licence soon for production of Neera drink
- The Excise Department is formulating regulations for the production of Neera and making it a legal business.
- The Excise Department was hesitant to permit Neera to be produced anticipating a big blow to the excise revenue.
- Meeting held with the members of coconut development companies that have registered for Neera production.
- All subsidies granted by the State Government will be released instantly, assured the Horticulture Department.
FollowThe coconut growers’ long standing agitation demanding license to produce Neera has finally paid off. The Excise Department is formulating regulations for the production of Neera and making it a legal business, reported Kannada Prabha.
The Excise Department was hesitant to permit Neera to be produced anticipating a big blow to the excise revenue. However last July 5 it formulated certain regulations and issued a gazette notification calling for objections if any within one month. No objections were raised by anybody paving the way for Neera production. Soon Neera production will be legalised ad Government Order to this effect will be issued soon said officials of the Excise Department.
The amendment to Excise Regulations were introduced some time back and an year ago the State Neera Policy was also formulated. However the rules were not laid down. Now that the State Government has revived the stagnant project the coconut growers are happy.
The Horticulture Department has held meetings with the members of coconut development companies that have registered for Neera production. Horticulture Department Deputy Director Dhanaraj said the Excise Department has formulated regulations for Neera production. A meeting has been held and the department is ready to provide all technical help. All subsidies granted by the State Government will be released instantly, assured the Horticulture Department.
In the current budget Rs 3 crores has been ear marked for the Neera development and Neera processing unit establishment. For production of Neera 18 companies have already registered with the cooperative department. For the companies that have already registered, subsidy of 50 percent from State Government and 25 per cent from Central Government will be granted.
The rules regulating Neera production requires permission to be obtained from both Horticulture Department and the Excise Department. The farmers have expressed their concern about this and are requesting to bring it under one roof. The Kunigal Coconut Development Company has already trained its employees in Neera production. Now the government has to invite applications for licence for Neera production. AS soon as the process starts licence will be procured and production will commence said chairman of the company and former VC of Agriculture University Dr N Narayana Gowda told Kannada Prabha.
