Beach shacks won’t affect coastal communities, says Excise Minister Kollu Ravindra
Minister for Mines and Excise Kollu Ravindra on Tuesday claimed that the proposed beach shacks to be allowed along the Visakhapatnam and Surya Lanka beaches
Minister for Mines and Excise Kollu Ravindra on Tuesday claimed that the proposed beach shacks to be allowed along the Visakhapatnam and Surya Lanka beaches would be developed on the lines of those in Goa and Kerala without affecting the local fishing and coastal communities. Addressing a press conference here, Mr. Ravindra said that the beach shacks would operate under the management of star hotels and would be located away from the local coastal communities. Speaking about the new Andhra Pradesh State Excise Policy, the Minister said that a Group of Ministers (GoM) was preparing the framework and that the new policy is likely to come into force by September after public consultation on the proposed guidelines.
“The new excise policy will reflect the recommendations and opinions of the public,” Mr. Ravindra said. On compensation for toddy tappers, Mr. Ravindra said; “During the YSR Congress Party rule, as many as 54 toddy tappers had lost their lives after falling from trees while carrying out their duties. Their families have not received compensation till date.” “We have scrutinised 33 toddy tappers deaths that occurred between 2019-24, and the families of these 33 tappers will be paid a compensation of ₹10 lakh.
The Excise department will also offer ₹5 lakh while the rest will be borne by the Labour department. The compensation will be paid soon”, said Mr. Ravindra. He also added that toddy tappers who survived falls from trees and were injured would also be compensated soon. Before the press conference, Mr. Ravindra visited the Krishi Vignan Kendra at Pandiri Maamidi in Polavaram district and inspected preparation of value-added products from palm toddy in its laboratory. “Neera is the prime product being prepared by scientists from palm toddy and fishtail palm (Caryota urens which is locally called as Jeeluga Kallu).
The product will empower women and communities involved in toddy tapping,” Mr. Ravindra said. He added that members of the Konda Reddi tribe are traditionally involved in the collection and consumption of fishtail palm toddy.
The BriefWire