Tea Board deputy chairman C Murugan assured on Saturday that 100 per cent testing of quality of imports would be carried out to prevent inflows of cheap varieties into the country.
The industry had been complaining that cheap imports of inferior quality are entering the country, which is destroying the industry. Speaking at the biennial general meeting of the Tea Association of India (TAI) here, Murugan said the Board is formalising the procedure for 100 per cent testing of the quality of imports of the beverage.
"We are creating the infrastructure towards this. It will take 15 to 20 days. Thereafter, legal opinion would be obtained, followed by approval of the commerce ministry," he said.
Murugan said cheap and poor quality imports of tea are taking place from countries like Nepal and Vietnam. He said the board would play the role of a facilitator and also liberalise control on the industry. He said the tea board would also not get involved in the auction system but would facilitate the process.
The board will also make efforts for generic promotion of Indian tea in other countries. Murugan said that under the Tea Development and Promotion Scheme of 2026, an outlay of Rs 1,500 crore has been earmarked for the next five years, the benefits of which will also be extended to small tea growers.
West Bengal Labour Secretary Avanindra Singh said the tea industry is passing through a difficult phase. "Cheap imports of inferior quality from Nepal are entering the country, destroying the Darjeeling tea industry,” he said.
Avanindra said that in West Bengal, people with no experience in the tea industry are acquiring huge tracts of land of sick and closed gardens at dirt cheap prices. "I urge the industry to come forward and acquire the closed tea gardens in West Bengal. The best way for the industry to survive is through the participation of tea workers in running the gardens by giving them equity,” he said. This will create a sense of ownership by the workers, he added.
Avanindra said wages and statutory dues are still unpaid to tea workers and urged garden managements to make these payments at the earliest.
TAI president Sandeep Singhania said that duty-free imports of cheap quality teas have increased substantially. "Restriction of these imports is crucial for the survival of the Darjeeling tea industry," he said.
Also read: Tea Board for effective food safety standards
Follow us
