Centre grants Rs 1,0000 crore package for Assam and West Bengal tea workers

GUWAHATI: The Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Anupriya Patel has granted a package of Rs 1,000 crore for the development of tea garden workers of Assam.

Minister Patel was in Assam for her two-day visit on September 29 to 30.

During her visit, the Minister participated in an interactive session hosted by Tea Board India with the support of the Indian Tea Association (ITA) on September 29, 2021, in Guwahati, which was attended by all stakeholders in the tea industry, including small tea growers, producers associations, bought leaf manufacturers associations, Tea Research Association, and labour unions.

"The Govt is committed towards the welfare of the industry which employs more than 11 lakh growers & workers," said the minister.

She added," Assam Tea is the pride of India . We will ensure that it keeps shining as always."

The Minister visited the tea plantation and factory of Amchong tea estate in Kamrup (Metro) District on September 30, 2021, and met with the management and workers.

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The Minister gave a brief overview of the government's policies and programmes in relation to the plantation sector, which are geared toward the industry's holistic development and expansion in the coming years. The Tea Development & Promotion Scheme has been authorised by the government for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26, with an outlay of 967.78 crores focusing on small tea growers for collectivisation, organic cultivation, and exports, including payment of Rs. 98.08 crores for NER exports. The Tea Board of India's pending subsidies has been authorised for a sum of Rs 298.76 crore.

A sum of Rs. 1000 Cr has been approved exclusively for the overall development of tea garden workers in Assam and West Bengal, particularly for women workers and their children in the areas of health, education and skill development.

Further, the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, in collaboration with the State Government will set up packaging and training facilities in Assam for agricultural and other commodities. A NABL accredited laboratory will be set up in Assam for the testing of spices and other products.

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