Centre to bring ‘comprehensive package’ for North Bengal tea gardens soon: Jitin Prasada

The central government is preparing to introduce a comprehensive package for the tea gardens of North Bengal, Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada said on Thursday. The announcement came after the minister visited tea estates in Jalpaiguri district to review the condition of the tea industry and interact with stakeholders.

Prasada said the government is carefully studying the challenges faced by the tea sector and working towards solutions. He explained that the purpose of his visit was to assess the ground situation of tea estates and understand issues affecting tea garden workers and the overall industry.

The minister also said that the Tea Board under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry is examining ways to boost the export of Indian tea. According to him, while domestic demand for tea remains strong, improving quality standards could help expand the presence of Indian tea in international markets.

Highlighting the difficulties faced by the sector, Prasada noted that changing weather patterns and waterlogging in newly planted tea gardens have created significant challenges. Labour-related concerns also continue to affect the functioning of several tea estates, making comprehensive policy intervention necessary.

He added that cooperation from the state government would make the proposed initiative more effective. The tea industry of North Bengal remains a crucial economic sector in the region, providing employment to thousands, but several estates have weakened in recent years due to climatic changes and operational difficulties. Earlier in the day, the minister visited the Denguajhar Tea Garden in Jalpaiguri, where he inspected the tea processing unit and reviewed tea varieties and production standards with Tea Board officials.