(a) whether the Government has undertaken a massive re-plantation and rejuvenation drive as the
average age of a tea-bush in Darjeeling is 80 years and the plants have lived their life; and
(b) if so, the complete details thereof and steps taken in this direction so far?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA)
(a) and (b): Yes Madam. A special Purpose Tea Fund Scheme (SPTF) has been launched for extending financial
support for undertaking replanting, replacement planting and rejuvenation of senile tea bushes in all the
tea growing states including Darjeeling. The fund comprises of both loan and subsidy components. A sum of
Rs.121.44 crores including Rs.1.06 crores for Darjeeling have been disbursed till February, 2011. This has
resulted in renovation of an area of upto 21,160 hectares including 288.15 hectares in Darjeeling. The Tea
Board, through various forums, has been urging the tea industry to undertake replanting and rejuvenation of
old tea bushes. The efforts of the Tea Board have borne fruit resulting in almost doubling of the rate of
replanting since the launch of the scheme as compared to the earlier rate before the scheme was launched.