The Association of Planters of Kerala (APK) has criticised the demand raised by a section of society for withdrawal of the century-old exemptions enjoyed by the plantation sector in the State under the Land Reforms Act.

If these exemptions are removed, it will only speed up fragmentation of the holdings, leading eventually to disappearance of the plantations in the State, according to APK Chairman Y. Raghavan.

More than 11 lakh workers, who earn their livelihood in the plantation sector in Kerala, will be deprived of employment, he cautioned.

Addressing the 74th AGM, he pointed out that over the years, a section of society has been demanding withdrawal of exemptions given to the plantation sector.

“I wonder whether any serious study was conducted before reaching such conclusions. Such views are short-sighted and will have far-reaching consequences for the State’s economy and undermine its socio- economic development,” Raghavan said.

Fragmentation of holdings particularly in Western Ghats will give scope for mushroom growth of real estate and the resultant growth of irresponsible tourism will put pressure on the ecological balance of the region, he said.

Countering the argument that plantations hold large extent of land and it should be redistributed to the landless poor, the APK chief said this could be done without destroying the plantation industry.

There is approximately 1.69 lakh hectares of land vested with the government through Kerala Private Forest (Vesting and Assignment) Act, 1971, which can be distributed to the landless poor, he noted.

sajeevkumar.v@thehindu.co.in

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