Suryodaya Municipality Revokes Minimum Support Price for Tea

Ilam. Suryodaya Municipality has decided to remove the minimum support price for tea. The 'Quality Tea Production Standards Implementation Procedure-2075' previously mandated that industries pay farmers a minimum of Rs 40 per kilogram, with farmers required to pluck only 40 percent bud tea.

However, Acting Mayor Durga Kumar Baral stated that the 18th Municipal Assembly's third meeting amended the act following demands for an open market from most farmers and industrialists. Mayor Baral noted that the assembly amended seven different acts that were cumbersome and inconvenient for citizens.

"The Appropriation Act 2082, Finance Act 2082, Basic and Secondary Education Act 2076, Health Act 2078, Vehicle and Transport Management Act 2076, Municipal Police Act 2076, and Cooperative Act 2075 amendment bills have been passed," said Mayor Baral.

There are 63 small and large tea industries in the municipality. The municipality has decided to request the federal government to determine the minimum support price for tea. Mayor Baral said, "We should focus on tea planting, plucking, and organic certification, while marketing and price determination should be handled by the federal government."

To resolve issues in the tea sector, the municipality collected suggestions from farmers and industrialists across all 14 wards. Additionally, the municipality sought suggestions from locals via 'online' platforms for the tea act amendment. A dedicated tea branch will be established to address problems in the sector.

The municipality has revised the Basic and Secondary Education Act 2076 to align with federal laws. The Vehicle and Transport Management Act 2076 was amended to facilitate the operation of three-wheeled vehicles. Cooperative Act 2075 was also amended to comply with federal laws, according to municipal spokesperson Khyam Bhujel.

"The municipal assembly has decided to write to the federal government to bring the tea gardens under the Nepal Tea Development Corporation, which the government of Nepal leased for 50 years, under local government ownership, ensure quality road construction, and replace wooden poles," said Chief Administrative Officer Bigyan Koirala.

"The municipality has allocated Rs 200,000 each to all 14 wards for the repair of roads damaged by last year's disasters," he said. Ward No. 5 Chairman Urgen Bomjan stated that the municipality will construct a modern waste management center with an investment of approximately Rs 220 million from the Swiss government, provincial government, and local government. According to him, the municipality has decided to request the federal government to revise provisions regarding capital gains tax on land sales and highway setbacks.

Chief Administrative Officer Koirala informed that work is underway to make the municipality transparent and reduce arrears to zero. Information Officer Yoganidhi Bhattarai stated that transparency is being maintained by broadcasting important municipal programs live.