Tea body writes to Union min with proposals

SNS, SLIGURI, 28 NOVEMBER 2022: The Terai Indian Planters' Association (TIPA) has requested Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to include some proposals sent by them in the budget for the next financial year to revive the tea industry in the region. 

In the proposals sent to the finance ministry, TIPA Chairman Mahendra Bansal has demanded a special package of Rs 500 crore to the Tea Board to clear all backlog subsidies of tea estates in North Bengal. 

Apart from the special package, Mr Bansal has also proposed creation of a special corpus fund of Rs 50 crore each year. 

Significantly, having failed to take on tea produced in Nepal in the domestic Indian market, TlPA has requested the finance minister to impose "cent percent" import duty on Nepal tea like most other neighbouring countries. TIPA has also reminded a special package of Rs 150 crore for the Darjeeling Tea Industry to make up for the losses incurred during the 104 days of Gorkhaland agitation in 2017, which planters have said was a big jolt to the industry. "There was a Rs 1,000-crore scheme announced in the previous budget for tea workers, especially women, but there has been no development on that front after the announcement of the scheme," a TIPA source said.