As part of the state government’s efforts to improve the lot of 70 to 80 lakh Geetha karmika workers, a study of the methodology used in Cambodia would be conducted, where the neera industry is in an advanced stage.
Apart from the Geetha Karmika workers, over 40 lakh persons are expected to gain from the new Geetha industry.
Displaying bottles of Neera beer and wine made in Cambodia to media persons here on Tuesday, Minister for Arogyasri Pithani Satyanarayana revealed that a delegation will travel to Cambodia and study the feasibility of adapting the formula for use in the state. Besides, Chief Minister K Rosaiah also appointed a 7-member committee with the Minister at its head to study the increased Geetha output in Maharashtra and Gujarat states, he said.
The 7-member team consists of MP from Karimnagar, Ponnam Prabakar, representatives from AP Horticultural University, Khadi Village Industries Board, Prohibition and Excise and state Gowda Sangam presidents, Ch Laxman Goud and Mallesh Goud.
The byproducts of neera are wine, beer, chocolates, sugar, jaggery, ice-cream etc. which are nutritious, the Minister informed. The state govt also cancelled three types of taxes namely rental, tree tax, pattadar tax, which the Telugu Desam Party rule had imposed on Geetha workers, Mr Satyanarayana informed. Instead "we are collecting one type of tax that too on instalments," the Minister said.
He revealed that ex-gratia to the Geetha karmika workers has also been enhanced from the earlier was Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakhs plus Rs 200 pension to those above 50 years.
This way the government has been trying to restore the morale of the Geetha workers, who had been feeling neglected, Mr Satyanarayana added.
Some workers are unable to climb the tall toddy trees in their old age and the new scheme will show an alternative income, he said.
Referring to the fire accidents to No 108 vehicles, the latest at Kamareddy in Nizambad district, the Minister ordered a probe by the DGP.