‘Output from tea plantations has increased to 1,141 million kg’

SNS, Siliguri, 12 January 2014: Tea Association of India (TAI) president, Mr Vijay Dhandhania said the output from Indian tea plantations has been increased to about 1,141 million kg, according to data available from the Tea Board, up to November 2013, which is higher by 75 million kg than the same period in 2012.
Addressing the 43rd annual general meeting of north Bengal branch of the TAI at Nagrakata in the Dooars yesterday, Mr Dhandhania said north India registered the maximum increase in production. Assam valley is ahead by about 34 million kg and Dooars and Terai by 21 million kg and 12 million kg respectively. Kenya’s contribution in global market has been exemplary increased more than 23 per cent than in 2012.
According to him, tea production in the organised sector in 2013 was not much higher and majority tea producers, who produced average CTC teas, price realisation had been poorer. “You will be shocked to learn that 50 percent of the gardens in the Dooars-Terai region are running loss,” he added.
The TAI president, Mr Vijay Dhandhania, pointed out: “The state government has clarified that the value of land will not be the criteria for determining the amount of stamp duty and registration fees as ownership of land is not transferred to the new lessee. I am aware of 20 odd estates awaiting change of hands. This will facilitate easy transfer of weaker tea estates to financially stronger management.”
The TAI president has requested chief minister Miss Mamata Banerjee for permanent withdrawal of payment of education and rural employment cess on green leaf. He also proposed formation of a standing committee on tea sector with participation from the state government, tea board and major stakeholders in the industry.
The TAI president, north Bengal branch, Mr AK Sengupta, said: “Many gardens are carrying a burden of huge workforce disproportionately to their yield. The burden of fixed employment in terms of this agreement need to be reviewed for economic survival of the plantations.”
“I request the state government to review the situation and rationalise the employment level. Though the state government promised to address the unproductive practices like short working hours and other problems, including absenteeism, no action has been taken,” Mr Sengupta added.
The state labour commissioner, Mr J Akhtar, said his department would ready a detailed report on the present status of labourers in almost all tea estates in this region. The report would help fixation of fresh wages for labourers in the tripartite meetings.
Addressing the TAI’s annual general meeting a senior police official, on behalf of the Jalpaiguri superintendent of police, Mr Amit P Javalgi, said: “People are facing problem of KLO menace in this region. The Jalpaiguri district has been affected seriously.”
The officer alerted the tea estates managerial staffs about the KLO’s subversive activities and requested them to share information with the police about them. “Don’t take any threat, threat calls and demand for ransom lightly and please inform police immediately. Don’t carry hefty amount of money from garden without police escort. Please inform local police station about any abandoned object,” the officer said.