Tea Board members draw up agenda for action

The Tea Board members have drawn up an agenda for action according priority to the various issues vexing the industry.

“Last three days, the Board member representing Parliament, Mr P. Viswanathan, and I held detailed discussions with various cross-sections of the industry and we visited some tea growing pockets of the Nilgiris, the largest tea producing district. Based on this, we have prioritised the action to be taken as while some need immediate attention, others merit focus in XII Plan”, the Board member, Dr S. Ramu, told Business Line .

“In the immediate-term, we are addressing on priority the cess hike slapped on factories and the financial burden proposed on e-auctions in a few months from now”, he said.

“On medium-term proposals, we are working on making the XII Plan eventful for tea industry. We have represented to the Commerce Minister, Mr Anand Sharma, to extend quality upgradation subsidy for tea factories and double the subsidy to meet the raising machinery cost.

We have sought the extension of the subsidy at enhanced rates for producing orthodox teas.

“Realising the hesitation of South Indian tea industry, we have sought the extension of Special Purpose Tea Fund (SPTF) with increased cost-marking for proportionate subsidy element backed with an in-built system to raise the subsidy whenever cost rises.

We have also pressed not to make SPTF as pre-requisite for granting other subsidies. Besides, we have sought continuing irrigation subsidy at higher rate”, Mr Viswanathan said.

“As the Tea Board-supported small grower directorate will come up during XII Plan, we will represent any suggestions to enhance small farmers' wellbeing and simultaneously improve their contribution to the economy”, he said.

“We are drawing up action taken report to monitor the logical conclusion of our representations”, Dr Ramu added.

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