Question : TEA GARDENS

(a) the number of medium and small scale tea gardens in the country particularly in Tamil Nadu;

(b) whether any proposal is under consideration of the Government for setting up of some more tea gardens in the backward areas, for the benefit of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the country particularly in Tamil Nadu;

(c) if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and

(d) the details of financial assistance provided by the Union Government to each State for this purpose?

Answer given by the minister

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ( SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY )

(a): The total number of medium and the small tea gardens in the country and Tamil Nadu are as under :

All-India	Tamil Nadu
Medium level gardens	801	174
Small gardens	110,366	60,389

(b) to (d): During the 10th plan period, the thrust is on improving the productivity from the existing tea gardens rather than expansion of the area. However, it is proposed to bring in 2500 hectares under tea cultivation during the course of the next five years in the backward areas of the country which will also benefit Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. It is proposed to bring in 1250 hectares in the North Eastern region covering eight States viz. Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim. The balance of 1250 hectares would be covered in the other non-traditional areas of the country, including Tamil Nadu.

The Tea Board is extending financial assistance for new planting by way of subsidy @ Rs. 97,500/- per hec. for the north eastern region and Rs. 47,500/- per hec. for the non-traditional areas other than north east. The extent of financial assistance given during the 9th plan period for the various States is noted below :-

Name of States	Subsidy disbursed (Rs. in lakhs)	Area planted (in hec.)
Arunachal Pradesh	191.67	533.66
Manipur	15.20	73.12
Nagaland	42.41	113.11
Meghalaya	8.50	22.63
Mizoram	18.96	50.00
Tripura	35.89	143.76
Assam	101.10	564.09
Sikkim	5.65	28.23
Non-traditional areas
other than N.E.	100.71	217.90

Question : TEA GARDENS

Answer given by the minister

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