Bantwal: Neera, Palm drink exempted from Excise Act in state Budget - 2015


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Bantwal, 14 Mar 2015: The farmers’ fraternity that owns palm groves is happy on the announcement of CM Siddaramaiah during the tabling of budget at the state capital on Friday March 13, to bring amendment to Excise Act allowing the farmers to draw ‘Neera,’ toddy from palm trees. 

 

Meanwhile, the ‘Neera’ processing unit that was established for the first in Karnataka at Thumbay, near here a few years ago is likely to expand across the state owing to state approval.

 

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The Excise Act was applicable for toddy tappers, and its sale in rural villages. It was also applicable to drawing Neera from palm trees. However, a specific community in the undivided Dakshina Kannada district has been pursuing the toddy tapping as a profession since very many years; they were granted permission to draw Neera. It was not allowed in other districts of Karnataka. Meanwhile, the farmer’s fraternity continued to urge the state administration to introduce Neera policy that is prevailing in Kerala, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. The government announcement in the budget, to allow Neera tapping by bringing an amendment to Excise Act indeed brought joy to farmers. 

 

BJP-led state administration released Rs 1 crore in the budget of 2011 – 12, while the construction of setting up of first Neera processing plant was begun in March 2012. Although the first ever Neera processing plant in Thumbay near here was inactive for 2 years, it began to function later with a few technical changes. However, it has to depend on neighboring Kerala to tap the Neera and marketing besides undivided Dakshina Kannada district. It was functioning on experimental basis jointly by Karnataka Coconut Development Board and Palakkad Coconut Planters Company.  

 

The coconut growers unions continued to urge state government to exclude Neera from Excise Act. The district-in-charge minister Ramanath Rai also visited the unit and offered assurances of introducing Neera policy. The state announcement will enable to set up Neera plants all over the state.

 

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Benefits

 

The amendment to above Act will give fillip to Neera industry. If Neera units are set up across the state, the coconuts would yield higher prices. The pest menace to palm groves would be contained to a greater extent. It would generate more employment opportunities for rural folks.   

 

It’s a significant development by the state administration to allow farmers for Neera tapping by bringing changes to Excise Act.  It would enable entrepreneurs to set up Neera plans –

Rajesh Naik, progressive farmer and BJP leader

 

What is Neera….?

 

It’s customary to use earthen pots to tap toddy or Neera. Meanwhile, Neera is being tapped using modern methods and technical innovations.   Kerala based CPCRI invented the technology while Augustine Joseph, a native Karkal improvised on it. PVC pipes are used to collect Neera in a square-shaped collection box. The Neera will be collected in plastic bag that was placed in the collection box. In order to retain freshness of brew, ice jells will be place around the plastic bag. The collection box will be lowered from coconut tree and Neera will be placed in the refrigerators. Its being introduced for the first time, The Neera is being sourced from 33 palm trees owned by plantation department at Thumbay near here. In an average 50 liters of Neera is collected daily here. The processing plant using modern technology has transformed into a training school at Thumbay, visited by Kerala minister, vice chancellor of Agricultural University and other dignitaries.   

 

Neera is a healthy drink that has 85 percent water, glucose and other minerals. It is being sources at dawn, pasteurized and stored in freezers. It’s packed in 200 milliliter packs just like milk pack. Its not intoxicant because if its stored in room temperatures before processing it turns out toddy and has 4 percent alcohol. A palm tree can yield 3 liters to 6 liters of Neera a day. It would increase the yield of coconut. The quantity of Neera will increase during winter and drops during summer. A tapper can source 30 liters to 75 liters of Neera in a day (contracted charges Rs 750 to Rs 1,000). A tapper can source Neera from 20 palm trees in a day that’s estimation of a palm grove owner.    

 

Jaggery and sugar are the byproducts of Neera. The excess of Neera if heated in large vessels; it becomes hard and takes the shape of jiggery. If it’s heated to boiling point it transforms to crystals of sugar. Two liters of Neera can yield 140 grams of sugar. Each kilograms of sugar will fetch Rs 900.   




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