MINISTER COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI MURASOLI MARAN)
(a)&(b) : The production of tea during the year 1999-2000 was 816.06 mn.kgs out of which 23.58 percent was exported.
(c)&(d) : No Sir. Production and export of tea during the period April to December 2000 registered an increase of 7.37 mn. kgs and 5.40 mn. kgs respectively as compared to the corresponding period of last year. Production, export and domestic consumption of tea during 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-2000 and 2000-2001, are as under :-
(in mn. kgs.)
YEAR PRODUCTION EXPORT ESTIMATED CONSUMPTION@
1997-98 834.88 211.26 597 1998-99 850.25 205.86 615 1999-2000 816.06 192.44 633 2000-2001 (Apr-Dec) 751.67 155.58 653 (Jan-Dec)
@ relates to calendar year
(e) : Several steps have been taken by the Govt./Tea Board for increasing production of tea in India so as to meet the domestic requirements and to maintain India`s share in the world tea exports. The steps include financial assistance by Tea Board to the Tea Industry through its various development schemes for encouraging extension planting, replanting, rejuvenation, pruning etc.
The steps taken to boost export of tea include consumer awareness of speciality Indian teas in select markets, participation in major trade fairs/exhibitions abroad, media campaigns and exchange of tea delegations between India and tea importing countries. With a view to increase domestic demand, Tea Board is engaged in participating in various fairs and exhibitions within the country and also running tea centres at various places wherein liquid tea is served to the public.
(f)to(h) : Yes Sir. Indian Embassy, Tripoli in the month of August 2000 informed the Ministry about supply of un-satisfactory quality of tea to Libyan National Supply Corporation (NASCO) by an Indian Exporter. Tea Board initially obtained views of the Indian exporter on the allegation of supply of sub-standard tea and subsequently issued show cause notice to the exporter for suspension/cancellation of tea Exporter License granted under Tea (Distribution and Export) Control Order 1957. The Indian exporter, in reply to the show cause notice has stated that he has not received any complaint directly from NASCO. Tea Board has therefore requested Embassy of India, Tripoli to obtain and forward a copy of the written complaint, if any, against the exporter by NASCO.
