MINISTER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI ANAND SHARMA)
a) to e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 128 FOR
ANSWER ON 13TH JULY 2009 REGARDING “PROBLEMS FACED BY TEA INDUSTRYâ€
(a) & (b): No, Madam. However, there is a general stagnation in the productivity of tea
in major tea producing countries including India during the past few years.
(c): The details of tea exported/imported in the country during last three years and the
current year are as follows –
Year Quantity Export of Quantity Import tea from India of tea into India illion.Kgs) (Million.Kgs.)
2006-07 218.15 20.80
2007-08 185.32 16.75
2008-09 (E) 183.99 22.03
2009-10 (E) 21.14 3.31
[April to May]
(E) Estimated & subject to revision,
(d) & (e): Yes, Madam. Owing to economic crisis faced by the tea industry during the period
between 1999 to 2006, financially weak gardens were closed down. The Government of India
announced a rehabilitation package on 29th June, 2007, providing for financial relief to the
extent of Rs.38.65 crore to 33 closed tea gardens, which were closed as on 1st April 2007. With
the recovery of tea prices many gardens have reopened. As on 09.07.2009, only 16 tea estates
are lying closed of which 11 are in West Bengal and remaining 5 in Kerala.
The Government of India has approved setting up of a Special Purpose Tea Fund under the aegis
of Tea Board, for funding replantation and rejuvenation activities for improving the
productivity and consequential production of tea plantations. The replantation and
rejuvenation has been done in 7217 ha and 2981 ha respectively upto 31.3.2009 during the 11th
Five Year Plan.
