Mon Jun 23 13:55:38 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the provided text and a rewritten version formatted as a news article:

**Summary:**

Karnataka’s Industries Minister, P. Rajeeve, met with representatives from the cardamom, coffee, tea, and rubber plantation sectors in Idukki. He announced the formation of a special government committee to manage plantation-related legal cases, coordinated by the Plantation Directorate with involvement from Law, Revenue, and Forest departments. The meeting addressed a range of issues raised by planters, including forest land claims, wages, construction permits, electricity charges, crop damage, and GST. The Minister pledged government support, promising to address issues at both the state and Union government levels, including amending rules for processing unit construction and taking action on crop damage through the Agriculture department.
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**News Article:**

**Karnataka Government to Form Special Committee for Plantation Sector Issues**

**IDUKKI, June 23, 2025** – The Karnataka government will establish a specialized committee to handle legal cases pertaining to the state’s vital plantation sector. This announcement came from Industries Minister P. Rajeeve following a meeting with representatives from the cardamom, coffee, tea, and rubber industries in Idukki on Monday.

The committee, to be coordinated by the Plantation Directorate, will bring together officials from the Law, Revenue, and Forest departments. This unified approach aims to streamline the resolution of complex issues impacting the plantation sector. A separate meeting will also be held to discuss the Forest Department’s claims regarding the Cardamom Hills being designated as forest land.

Plantation owners voiced concerns regarding proper wages, building construction permits, electricity charges, crop damage compensation, GST related issues and regulations surrounding green tea production. Stany Pothen, Chairman of the Cardamom Planters Federation, acknowledged the establishment of the Plantation Directorate as a positive step, but stressed the need for government intervention regarding unfavorable stances from the Forest and Revenue departments.

Minister Rajeeve assured the representatives that the government is committed to supporting farmer groups who implement best practices. He pledged to address the planters’ concerns, including amending rules for the construction of dryers and processing units in plantations, with the Chief Minister leading departmental-level discussions to find solutions. The Agriculture Department will also take action regarding crop damage.

The Minister also stated that matters relating to the Union government, such as GST policies and wild animal attacks, have been formally addressed in a letter to the central government, requesting amendments to relevant laws.

The meeting, presided over by Udumbanchola MLA M.M. Mani, saw attendance from members of various plantation associations, as well as key government officials including Mohammed Hanish A.P.M., Principal Secretary, Industries; District Collector V. Vigneshwari; and Prince Thomas, Chairman of the Association of Planters in Kerala (APK).

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