The Hindu Business Line : TN waives land tax

CHENNAI: The State Government has waived land tax for the period between July 2003 and June 2004 as a concession to farmers hit by the drought, the Chief Minister, Ms J. Jayalalithaa, announced in the Assembly on Tuesday.

Replying to the debate on the motion of thanks to the Governor's address, she said that the Government was also waiving local cess and local cess surcharge. These concessions will mean a Rs 60-crore revenue loss to the State.

The State Government has sought Rs 1,584 crore assistance under the National Calamity Contingency Fund from the Centre. It has also requested allocation of 10.8-lakh tonnes rice to implement a food-for-work programme. In response, the Centre has appointed a team to visit the drought-affected areas in Tamil Nadu.

The Tamil Nadu Horticulture Development Mission to be launched on February 11 will encourage cultivation of horticulture crops. A Rs 36.32-crore turmeric trade centre will be set up at Erode. This will have modern facilities such as an auction centre, communications centre, bank and quality control laboratory. A Rs 22.55-crore project for modern irrigation systems using drip and sprinklers will be launched in Tirunelveli district with World Bank assistance. It will cover over 7,413 acres, Ms Jayalalithaa said.