Guwahati, 3rd April: The Assam government has appealed to the Centre to reconsider the enforcement of the sale of 100% of dust grades tea through public auction, citing potential challenges that could affect the livelihoods of tea growers in the state.
A gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on February 23 mandates the sale of 100% of dust grades tea manufactured from North Indian tea gardens through public auctions, effective from April 1, 2024, excluding mini tea factories.
In a letter addressed to Sunil Barthwal, Secretary of the Department of Commerce, Ravi Kota, Chief Secretary of Assam, expressed concerns about the impact of this notification on the tea industry, particularly small tea growers and other stakeholders. Kota emphasized that the implementation of the directive could pose significant challenges, affecting the livelihoods of tea growers and associated stakeholders.
Assam, being the largest tea-producing state in the country, has approximately 10 lakh workers directly employed in the tea industry, along with over 1.25 lakh small tea growers, who contribute around 48% of the total green tea leaves produced in the state.
The North-Eastern Tea Association (NETA) objected to the mandated 100% auction of dust tea, arguing that producers should have the autonomy to sell their produce in a manner they find suitable, emphasizing the financial burden on producers and the risk of social unrest due to disruptions or uncertainties in cash flow.
Bidyananda Barkakoty, adviser of NETA, highlighted the inefficiency of public auctioning, resulting in limited buyers and unfair prices for producers, urging for a reconsideration of the directive in the best interests of the tea industry.
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