Lok Sabha Question No. 2429 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-31
Subject: Revival of Closed Tea Gardens
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: MANOJ RAJORIA, MD. BADARIDDOZA KHAN, KANWAR SINGH TANWAR

## MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2429 (H) TO BE ANSWERED ON 31 st JULY, 2017

## REVIVAL OF CLOSED TEA GARDENS

## 2429(H). DR. MANOJ RAJORIA: SHRI MD. BADARUDDOZA KHAN: SHRI KANWAR SINGH TANWAR:

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

- (a) the details of closed tea gardens in the country, State-wise;
- (b) whether the tea producers have suffered great losses due to closure of tea gardens in Darjeeling and if so, the details thereof along with the reasons for closing the tea gardens;
- (c) whether  the  decrease  in  tea  production  is  likely  to  affect  domestic  market  and exports and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government proposes any scheme to provide subsidy or incentive to the tea producers to avoid loss and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government has chalked out any programme to revive the closed tea gardens in the country including those in Darjeeling and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

- (a): There  are  twelve  tea  gardens  closed  in  the  country  at  present.  The  details  are  given  in  the Annexure.
- (b )& (c) :Only one tea garden ( Panighata) is closed in the Darjeeling district because of labour unrest due to non-payment of workers dues. Recent suspension of operations in the tea gardens in Darjeeling hills  due  to  strike  since  09.06.2017  onwards  has  resulted  in  loss  of  revenue  due  to  stoppage  of manufacture  and  sale  of  the  high  quality  second  flush  teas  that  generate  substantial  export revenue.
- (d)&(e): Tea Board through the 'Tea Development & Promotion Scheme' extends financial assistance to the tea estates in the country including Darjeeling for undertaking activities which inter-alia includes new  planting,  replanting,  rejuvenation,  pruning,  irrigation,  field  mechanization  etc.  The  Central Government  is  in  active  coordination  with  the  concerned  State  Government  to  make  the  tea gardens functional.

****

## State wise details of closed tea gardens in the country

| Sl. No.                     | Name of the T.E                                   | State                       | Date of Closure             | Current status                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|-----------------------------|---------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|-----------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 1                           | Dheklapara T.E                                    | West Bengal                 | 11.03.2006                  | The estate was officially liquidated by the Hon'ble Calcutta High Court. The garden was put up for e- auction by the Hon'ble Calcutta High Court (Official Liquidator) on 11 th May,2012, but no prospect buyer was available |
| 2                           | Bundapani T.E                                     | West Bengal                 | 13.07.2013                  | The State Govt. has taken possession of the land of the closed Bundapani T.E on 15th Oct,2014, on expiry of lease of land.                                                                                                    |
| 3                           | Dharanipur T.E                                    | West Bengal                 | 19.10.2013                  | The State Govt. has taken possession of the land of the closed Dharanipur T.E on 18th Nov, 2014.                                                                                                                              |
| 4                           | Redbank T.E                                       | West Bengal                 | 19.10.2013                  | The State Govt. has taken possession of the land of the closed Redbank T.E on 21st Nov,2014, on expiry of lease of land.                                                                                                      |
| 5                           | Surendranagar T.E                                 | West Bengal                 | 19.10.2013                  | The State Government has cancelled the Land Lease of Surendra Nagar T.E by an order dated 14/11/2014 and the Land has been taken over by the state Government on 13.01.2015                                                   |
| 6                           | Madhu T.E                                         | West Bengal                 | 23.09.2014                  | As per un official information , the process of sale of the property is under process                                                                                                                                         |
| 7.                          | Panighata                                         | West Bengal                 | 10.10.2015                  | Labour unrest due to non-payment of workers dues etc.                                                                                                                                                                         |
| 8                           | Manabari                                          | West Bengal                 | 21.03.2016                  | Labour unrest due to non-payment of workers dues etc.                                                                                                                                                                         |
| 9.                          | Kumlai                                            | West Bengal                 | 15-11-2015                  | Labour unrest dueto non settlement of labour dues etc.                                                                                                                                                                        |
| 10.                         | M/s Peermade Tea Co. Ltd.- Peermade&Lonetree T.E. | Kerala                      | 01.04.2016                  | Labour unrest dueto non settlement of labour dues etc. The Govt. of Kerala is in the process of reopening of the estate.                                                                                                      |
| 11.                         | M/s MMJ Plantations- Kottamala&Bonami T.E         | Kerala                      | 23.12.2013/ 11.10.2014      | The company has got a stay order from the Kerala High Court prohibiting action against the company presently under Tea Act.                                                                                                   |
| 12                          | Bonaccord                                         | Kerala                      | 05.03.2015                  | Estate Management has abandoned the estate due to financial crisis. The name of this garden is included in the list since recently a communication has been received from the Govt. of Kerala.                                |
| Total 12 closed tea gardens | Total 12 closed tea gardens                       | Total 12 closed tea gardens | Total 12 closed tea gardens | Total 12 closed tea gardens                                                                                                                                                                                                   |

## ANNEXURE