(a) whether the Tea Board of India has deferred the implementation of the Plant Protection Code which was to come into effect from September 1, 2014;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor along with the time by which it is likely to be implemented;
(c) whether any request/representation have been received by the Tea Board from small tea growers in this regard; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)
(a) & (b): As per notification issued by the Tea Board on 29th August, 2014, all clauses of the Plant Protection Code (PPC), except three clauses, namely 18, 19 and 20, are effective from 1st September, 2014. Full compliance of the Code including the above mentioned clauses is mandated from 1st January, 2015. The PPC is being implemented in phases in order to enable all stakeholders of tea sector to build adequate capacity within the given time frame and fully meet all requirements of the PPC.
(c) & (d): Representations have been received from Small Tea Growers Association from Assam and West Bengal requesting deferment of implementation of Plant Protection Code to the next cropping season. There is currently no proposal to review the date of full implementation of the PPC.