Lok Sabha Question No. 64 (STARRED), answered on 2016-11-21
Subject: Closed Tea Gardens
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: SAUGATA ROY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 64 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 st  NOVEMBER, 2016

## CLOSED TEA GARDENS

## *64. PROF. SAUGATA ROY:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वाͨणÏय एवं उɮयोग मंğी ) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether a number of tea gardens have closed down and if so, the details of such tea gardens, State/UT-wise;
- (b) whether the Government has ascertained the reasons for the closure of tea gardens including small and medium;
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken by the Government to revive the closed tea gardens;
- (d) the other steps taken by the Government to help the tea garden workers, who lost their livelihood due to the closure of tea gardens; and
- (e) whether the Tea Board has been able to perform its regulatory role effectively and if so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  the  reasons  therefor  along  with  the  corrective measures taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx jkT; ea=h ¼Jherh fueZyk lhrkje.k½ ¼Lora= izHkkj½

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

(INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

a) to  e):  A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 64   FOR ANSWER ON 21 st  NOVEMBER, 2016 REGARDING 'CLOSED TEA GARDENS'

(a) & (b):  At present seven tea gardens in West Bengal and two tea gardens in Kerala are reported to be closed. The state wise details are given in annexure. The reasons for closure includes,  inter  alia,  low  yield  from  the  estates,  poor  garden  management  practices,  low quality produce, low price realizations and labour unrest etc.

(c)    &  (d):  The  condition  of  tea  gardens  is  being  monitored  regularly  by  the  Central Government  through  the  Tea  Board  to  facilitate  reopening  of  the  closed gardens. Government of India has requested the State Government to provide the benefits of social and  economic  development/welfare  schemes of  Central  and State  Government  to  all tea growing areas.

State  Governments  concerned  have  been  taking  several  steps  for  revival  of  the  closed gardens. The West Bengal Government has cancelled land lease in respect of Bundapani, Redbank, Dharanipur and Surendranagar  tea estates  and taken possession  of  the  land  to find  out  new  entrepreneurs.    Dheklapara  estate  was  officially  liquidated  by  the  Hon'ble Calcutta  High  Court  and  the  garden  was  put  up  for  e-auction.  However,  no  prospective buyer was available. Panighata Tea Estate has been recently closed due to labour unrest. Efforts  are  also  being  made  by State  Government of Kerala for reviving MMJ  PlantationsKottamala & Bonami Tea Estate and M/s Peermade Tea Co. Ltd.-Peermade & Lonetree Tea Estates.

(e): Tea Board is responsible for implementation of various regulatory and developmental functions under the Tea Act, 1953 for increasing production, marketing and export  promotion.  Tea  Board  has  endeavoured  to  discharge  its  role  effectively  through implementation  of  the  Tea  Development  and  Promotion  Scheme  and  enforcement  of regulatory provisions.

State wise details of Closed Tea Gardens/Estates

| Sl. No.   | Name of the Tea Estate (T.E.)                      | State       | Area under Tea (Ha)   | No. of Workers   | No. of Workers   |
|-----------|----------------------------------------------------|-------------|-----------------------|------------------|------------------|
|           |                                                    |             |                       | Permanent        | Temporary        |
| 1         | Dheklapara T.E                                     | West Bengal | 197                   | 604              | 200 (Approx.)    |
| 2         | Bundapani T.E                                      | West Bengal | 530                   | 1215             | 68               |
| 3         | Dharanipur T.E                                     | West Bengal | 265                   | 357              | 450 (Approx.)    |
| 4         | Redbank T.E                                        | West Bengal | 369                   | 888              | 700 (Approx.)    |
| 5         | Surendranagar T.E                                  | West Bengal | 172                   | 301              | 150 (Approx.)    |
| 6         | Madhu T.E                                          | West Bengal | 323                   | 947              | 0                |
| 7.        | Panighata T.E.                                     | West Bengal | 460.15                | 787              | 0                |
| 8.        | M/s Peermade Tea Co. Ltd.-Peermade & Lonetree T.E. | Kerala      | 679.79                | 220              | 0                |
| 9         | M/s MMJ Plantations- Kottamala & Bonami T.E        | Kerala      | 677.51                | 375              | 0                |
|           | Total 9 closed tea gardens                         | Kerala      | 3673.45               | 5694             | 1568             |

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Annexure