THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (DR. D. PURANDESWARI)
(a): From mid 1999 to 2007 conditions adversely affected the viability of tea gardens,
resulting in closure/abandonment of as many as 130 gardens. However, from 2008 onwards,
almost all the closed gardens have been re-opened. As on date only six gardens remain
closed – 03 (three) in West Bengal, 02 (two) in Kerala and 01 (one) in Assam .The reasons
for closure and the number of workers affected are shown in the table below: :
Sl. No. State Estate Month of Reasons Number of workers closure affected
1 Lone Tree Dec 2000 Labour unrest. 660
2 Kerala Pirmed 729
3 Dheklapara Aug 2002 Financial crisis 544
4 West Ringtong Feb 2008 Abandoned by owners 837
5 Bengal Dalmore July2012 Labour unrest. 1021
6 Rani Mar2010 Labour unrest. 105 Assam Total 3896
(b): Steps have been initiated for reopening the closed tea gardens, viz, Lone Tree, Pirmed
and Dheklapara, by invoking Section 16 (E) of the of the Tea Act, 1953, which provides for
handing over the management of the gardens to new entrepreneurs. It was challenged by the
owners in the Hon’ble High Court of Kerala in respect of gardens Lone Tree and Pirmed. For
the Dheklapara garden, approval of the Hon’ble High Court of Calcutta was not received.
Because of these legal hurdles further steps could not be taken as per the provisions of Tea
Act. Negotiations are underway between the Labour Department and the trade unions and
management of the remaining four gardens.
A rehabilitation scheme notified by the Government of India in June 2007 provides for
restructuring of bank loan, interest subsidy on working capital, deferred payment of provident
fund (PF) dues, waiver of outstanding loans under the Tea Board. Loan schemes and according
priority for providing developmental assistance under Tea Board Development Schemes.
(c): Yes, Madam. A comprehensive Tea Development and Promotion Scheme has been formulated for
implementation during the XII Five Year Plan. The Scheme provides for a special purpose tea
fund for financing replantation/rejuvenation of old and uneconomical tea areas. During the
XII Plan, it is targeted to renovate 47,000 ha by way of replantation/replacement (40,000 ha)
and rejuvenation pruning and consolidation in hilly areas (7,000 ha). The scheme is currently
under process of appraisal.
(d): Adopting Kenyan model for Assam has been found to be not feasible as the structure of
the Kenyan tea industry is totally at variance with that of Assam. Taking into account, the
profile of the tea industry in Assam, detailed regulatory guidelines have been formulated and
issued to all tea factories sourcing green leaf from small tea growers, with regard to the
quality of green leaf and the method of fixing the minimum price for the green leaf, each month
based on the auction sale average.
(e): No, Madam. No such directives have been issued by Tea Board.
