TSHDA launches e-services

The Tea Small Holdings Development Authority (TSHDA) last week launched e-services to improve efficiency and reduce administrative costs of the services provided by the Authority.

The general manager of the TSHDA, G. B. Obeysekera said that this initiative under e-Sri Lanka program was launched with the support of the ICTA. Now all the services provided by TSHDA are available in electronic form through SMS, email or internet. Smallholders can get the statement on subsidy payments by sending an SMS to 1919. Once a smallholder completes his land preparation work he can request for an inspection by officials by sending an SMS.

Advisory and extension services will be provided electronically. Smallholders can create accounts with passwords in the Lanka gate web portal and access the TSHDA database. The online application facility is another feature, Obeysekera said.

Tea smallholders account for 71 percent of tea production in the country. A majority or 96 percent of the smallholders have less than two acres of land.

The TSHDA has eight regional offices and there are 150 officers attached to them. The TSHDA annually spend over Rs. 250 million as subsidies to smallholders. Obeysekera said inquiries from smallholders are immediately forwarded to the relevant regional offices and officials.

GW