Tea planters seek land ceiling waiver

TT, Jan 14, 2018, Siliguri: An association of tea planters has demanded withdrawal of ceiling on area that could be used for alternative crops and tourism in plantations.

The Terai Branch of Indian Tea Association (TBITA) also demanded tax holiday of a few years and at least 51 per cent investment by outsiders in the tea tourism.

At the annual general meeting of the association held here last week, M.K. Tyagi, the branch chairman, said the state should consider the proposal of removing such limits.

"As of now, only three per cent of the grant land (land provided on lease) is being allowed for cultivation of alternative crops. We want it to be removed for optimum utilisation of the entire land available," said Tyagi.

The TBITA chairman also said tea tourism, a plan to integrate tourism with tea estates, could be encouraged if the state altered some of its clauses, including stipulation on land usage.

For infrastructure development with regard to tourism, tea gardens can use a maximum of five areas as of now.

"We also want the state to allow an investment of 51 per cent or more from outside and exemption on tax for some initial years in tea tourism. Such changes can encourage fresh investments and help tea estates improve their earnings," said a tea planter in Siliguri.

At the meeting, another issue that was discussed was encroachment of garden land in the Terai and particularly on the outskirts of Siliguri.

"We seek intervention of the state government to end the encroachment, which can destabilise the socio-economic ambience of a tea estate. It would also pose a hindrance to expansion of facilities like workers' quarters in the coming years," said a representative of the association.

State tourism minister Gautam Deb, who was present at the meeting, said the planters' associations should approach the government with a comprehensive proposal.

"The industry should come up with detailed proposals as to how unutilised land could be used in tea gardens for alternative crops and other activities," said Deb.