IPEMA urges T'gana govt to provide preferential power tariff

The Indian Poultry Equipment Manufacturers Association on Wednesday urged the Telangana government to provide preferential power tariff, announce MSP for eggs and exempt municipal or panchayat tax for the benefit of poultry farmers.

IPEMA president Chakradhar Rao made the request at the inauguration of the two-day 'Poultry India 2019,' a mega poultry exhibition organised by the Association.

He said the government currently gives a subsidy on power tariff to poultry farms, but preferential tariff would provide great relief to farmers in promptly clearing bills.

Rao said government should announce a Minimum Support Price for eggs.

"As the Minimum Support Prices are being declared by the government, the same may be declared for eggs also. In case of low demand, financial assistance may be given if the farmer wants to store the eggs in cold storage, he said.

Observing that house tax is applicable as per the Panchayat Raj Act, 2018, he said it was necessary to make the necessary corrections or grant exemption of Panchayat or municipal tax.

Telangana Animal Husbandry Minister T Srinivas Yadav, who inaugurated the event, said the government would help the poultry industry grow.

The problems of the industry would be discussed at a meeting of the state cabinet sub-committee concerned, he said.

Meanwhile, a group of poultry farmers raised slogans and held aloft placards like 'save poultry farmers' during the inaugural event.

Lok Sabha member from Tamil Nadu A K P Chinraj, who was present, alleged that the National Egg Coordination Committee (NECC) was not conducting meetings and ensuring coordination (among poultry farmers, egg traders etc).

"At least, conduct the meeting once a year...

NECC should conduct the meeting (with) poultry farmers and egg traders everywhere in the production zone... But till now no meeting has been conducted. That is the main problem," Chinraj, president of Tamil Nadu Poultry Farmers Association, said.

NECC's Mumbai Zone Chairman M B Desai, however, said NECC has a nationwide set up with 24 zones and is not a local organisation.

"...We have an executive committee, which meets every three months," he said.