Poultry cess may be scrapped

Chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy said the state government is contemplating removing the cess on eggs and chicken permanently.

This would benefit around 50 lakh farmers and their families who are dependent on the poultry sector.

Kiran said the state government has earmarked huge budget increase for strengthening the poultry, fisheries, dairy, horticulture and other sectors.

Apart from scrapping NALA tax to the tune Rs 480 crore, government has decided to waive off another Rs 120 crore annually for which orders were issued, he said.

A 50-member delegation hailing from poultry sector led by minister for information and technology Ponnala Lakshmaiah met the chief minister at his camp office in Begumpet on Wednesday and thanked him for scrapping the NALA tax.

Members said Andhra Pradesh stands third in poultry production and more than 50 lakh farmers are involved in the sector, delegation members Ramireddy, Subba Raju and Sudhakar said.