Assam Govt Withdraws Cess on Green Leaves in Boost to Tea Industry

Guwahati, August 1, 2019:

Finally some good news for the small tea growers in Assam as the Government has waived cess on green tea leaves. The Assam Government on Friday has passed a Bill withdrawing cess on green leaves, which is expected to add more revenue to the coffers of the Assam Government.

Announcing this, the Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted: "Tea Industry in Assam is passing through a critical phase. In order to extend support to it, the Assam Assembly has passed a Bill withdrawing cess on green leaves with effect from April 2019. The revenue implication for govt for this will be Rs 100 cr per annum."

Tea growers welcomed this decision. "Yes I know. I have a few acres of tea garden. Thanks", wrote one Twitter user, while another said: "Sir , hope now tea leaves will also become cheap ....plz ask tea gardeners to pass on this benefit to consumer."

However, there were still a few who doubted the usefulness of this move. One user wrote: "What is your plan for tea garden workers living standard? Tea auction centre was in kolkata and then shifted to guwahati, what improvement happened? Do u think that withdrawal of cess will serve the purpose? What about modernisation of tea industry?"

It is to be mentioned that soon after coming to power in the State, the BJP-led coalition did promise to waive cess on green tea leaves in phases and in three years.

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