The Hindu Business Line : Tea growers seek advisory panels for Indco factories

THE Nilgiris Small Tea Growers' Association has appealed to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Ms J. Jayalalithaa, to appoint an advisory committee to the co-operative tea factories called Indco factories in the Nilgiris.

"Around 21,000 small growers are supplying their green leaves to these Indco factories. In the past, these grower members used to elect their board of directors who would manage the affairs of the factory concerned and more importantly fix the price for the green leaf to be paid to the growers.

"But, four years ago, Ms Jayalalithaa abolished all the co-operative set-ups in the State and till today, her Government had not ordered the conduct of a free fair poll to the boards. This is killing the co-operative spirit in the tea factories," Mr T. Rangaiah, President, told Business Line.

The factories are now under the control of paid Managing Directors who are handpicked by the Government.

"But, there are cases of one MD asked to officiate in more than one factory. Admittedly, the Government does not have a business-like approach to running the tea factories involving crores of rupees as investment and working capital," he said.

Mr Rangaiah has informed the CM that some officials do not have expertise in tea growing or manufacture and this lacuna is telling upon the functioning of the factories.

"The officials get their salaries under any circumstances, but the growers are the victims. They are paid a paltry sum of Rs 3.50 to 4 a kg for the green leaf in many Indco factories," he said.

Since the officials have no accountability, there is lack of cost effectiveness or progressive management, he said.

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