Tea Board members from the Nilgiris, Dr S. Ramu and Mr Koshy Baby, are taking up with the Union Government the sudden stoppage of the 25 per cent subsidy given to factory owners for upgrading their machinery.

“At the Board meeting held in Kolkata on Wednesday, we highlighted the plight of the factory owners who have invested huge sums and are awaiting the disposal of subsidy,” Dr Ramu said.

“This is a highly patronised scheme aimed at improving quality to keep pace with global competition. Suddenly, the Board has asked its officials not to entertain fresh applications and not to conduct post-installation inspections. This will affect 1,085 applicants waiting for Rs 100 crore subsidy in the Nilgiris, ” he disclosed.