Question : TEA RESEARCH CENTRE

(a) the number of tea research institutes exclusively dedicated to scientific research and improvement in productivity and quality of tea in the country;

(b) whether Government has provided funds to the Tocklai Tea Research Institute for carrying out research on all aspects of tea cultivation and its processing;

(c) if so, the details of the total funds allocated and expenditure incurred by the said research institute during each of the last three years and the current year;

(d) the achievements and innovations made by the said institute during the said period in the field of tea cultivation and its processing;

(e) whether the Government proposes to open similar research institutes across the country; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and the present status thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (DR. D. PURANDESWARI)

(a): There are three tea research institutes exclusively dedicated to scientific research and extension for improvement in productivity and quality of tea in the country. These are (1) Tocklai Experimental Station, Jorhat, Assam (2) United Planters` Association of South India — Tea Research Foundation, Valparai, Tamil Nadu and (3) Darjeeling Tea Research and Development Centre, Kurseong, Darjeelmg, West Bengal.

(b): Yes, Madam.

(c): The details of total funds allocated to the Tocklai Experimental Station during the last three years and current year (up to November, 2012) and the expenditure incurred are as under :-

Year	Amount allocated	Expenditure incurred	(Rs. in lacs)	(Rs. in lacs) 
2009-10	1476.25	1476.25 
2010-11	905.95	905.95 
2011-12	2385.80##	2370.80 
Total	4768.00	4753.00 
2012-13#	225.49	225.49