Sat Nov 30 13:21:33 UTC 2024: ## Kerala Hikes Fertiliser Licence Fees After Decade-Long Freeze

**Thiruvananthapuram, November 30, 2024** – The Kerala Agriculture Department has announced a significant increase in fertiliser licence fees, the first revision in ten years. The move, effective immediately, aims to boost the state’s non-tax revenue and fund infrastructure development.

Fees for new and renewal licences across all categories – fertiliser mixing units, wholesale, and retail sales – have been substantially raised. For mixing units, new licences will now cost ₹10,000 (up from ₹750), and renewals ₹5,000 (up from ₹750). Wholesale units will see new licence fees jump to ₹10,000 (from ₹450) and renewals to ₹1,000 (from ₹450). Retail sales licences will cost ₹1,000 for new applications (previously ₹38) and ₹500 for renewals (previously ₹38).

The department justified the increase, citing a state government directive to update fees and charges to improve financial sustainability. Proposals for the fee revision were submitted in July and August, following the last hike in October 2014.

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