‘Extend RoDTEP scheme to boost tobacco exports’
The Hindu
Exports have declined by 67 million kg and ₹1,070 crore since 2013-14
The Indian Tobacco Association has appealed to the Centre to extend benefits under the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) scheme to the tobacco sector. The exports mainly include value-added products such as flue-cured Virginia tobacco and tobacco products. “As there is no level-playing field in the international market, India’s exports of unprocessed tobacco have fallen sharply,” association president Maddi Venkateswara Rao said in a statement recently. From 236 million kg by volume and valued at ₹4,850 crore in 2013-14, tobacco exports declined to 169 million kg and ₹3,780 crore in 2020-21, the association said. It said this seeking to highlight how India, with a wide range of soils and climatic conditions conductive for tobacco production, is well positioned to become a major player in the global market if it can harness emerging opportunities through price competitiveness. Steep increases in the cost of cultivation, transportation and logistics, however, have adversely impacted the price competitiveness of Indian tobacco.Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi founder and Chidambaram M.P., Thol. Thirumavalavan, on Friday recalled the arduous journey of steering the party through the transition from being a radical organisation whose slogan was ‘Adanga Maru, Aththu Meeru, Thimiri Ezhu, Thiruppi Adi’ (Don’t bow down, disobey, rise up and hit back) to become an important cog in the wheel of electoral politics in Tamil Nadu today as VCK, with four MLAs and two MPs, is set to be recognised by the Election Commission of India as a ‘state party’.
Amid strike by some Loco Pilots, Railways is trying to ensure undisrupted service: Palakkad Division
The Palakkad Division of Southern Railway on Friday, said it was making all efforts to keep trains running in time amid a section of Loco Pilots continuing to strike from work with a demand for a 46-hour periodical rest.
After completing her Class XII a few years ago, Lakshmi Priya from Sivakasi faced financial constraints that prevented her from pursuing higher education. Despite her circumstances, she persevered by folding matchboxes to earn a meagre income. “I have always done this work – folding matchboxes. Many families in Sivakasi and surrounding areas do this work, from home,” said Ms.Priya who is now 19 years old. “I always wanted to learn something related to Computer Science. We did not have a proper teacher for this particular subject at school. But I managed to score 95%,” she said.
Ahead of the southwest monsoon, the officials from multiple departments were directed to carry out the standard operating procedure and ensure that all the parameters were adhered to as per the guidelines issued by the Disaster Management Plan of the Tamil Nadu government, said Theni Collector R.V. Shajeevana here on Friday.