Lok Sabha Question No. 2615 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-14
Subject: Development of Darjeeling Tea Research and Development Centre
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: JANAK RAM

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2615

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 TH  MARCH, 2016

## DEVELOPMENT OF DARJEELING TEA RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTRE

## 2615(H). SHRI JANAK RAM:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to upgrade the Darjeeling Tea Research and Development Centre, in Kurseong;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken by the Government in this regard;
- (c) the budgetary allocation and utilization of funds by the Tea Centre during the last three years along with the major initiatives taken or research conducted on tea by the centre;
- (d) whether any new centre is proposed to be set up by Tea Board or other Institutes to promote research in tea; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

वािणÏ य एवं उɮयोग राÏ य मंत्री ) Įीमती िनमर्ला सीतारमण ( ( èवतंत्र प्रभार ) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

(a) & (b): There is no proposal to upgrade the Darjeeling Tea Research and Development Centre (DTR&DC)in Kurseong. During 11 th Five Year Plan, the DTR&DC was upgraded as a 'Centre of Excellence' and the scheme is continued in the 12 th Plan Period. As part of upgradation of DTR&DC, various initiatives including infrastructural development, extension of laboratories at Kurseong, procurement of equipment and recruitment of scientists have been taken up.

A Quality Control Laboratory (QCL) has been established in Tea Park, Siligurias extension of the facilities of DTR&DC in order to assist the tea industry in general and Darjeeling tea industry in particular. This will help the industry in conforming to the international quality norms and produce high quality teas for domestic consumption and export purpose.

(c): Budgetary allocation and utilization of funds by the DTR&DC, Kurseong for last three years is given in the following Table:

| Year      | RECEIPT(Rs.)   | RECEIPT(Rs.)   | RECEIPT(Rs.)              |
|-----------|----------------|----------------|---------------------------|
|           | Non - Plan     | Plan           | Total (Non - Plan + Plan) |
| 2012 - 13 | 7507740        | 7672700        | 15180440                  |
| 2013 - 14 | 5037040        | 5141990        | 10179030                  |
| 2014 - 15 | 2621160        | 4035940        | 6657100                   |
| Total     | 15165940       | 16850630       | 32016570                  |

| Year      | EXPENDITURE(Rs.)   | EXPENDITURE(Rs.)   | EXPENDITURE(Rs.)          |
|-----------|--------------------|--------------------|---------------------------|
|           | Non - Plan         | Plan               | Total (Non - Plan + Plan) |
| 2012 - 13 | 7889670            | 7073720            | 14963390                  |
| 2013 - 14 | 6056060            | 5160840            | 11216900                  |
| 2014 - 15 | 2747781            | 3844091            | 6591872                   |
| Total     | 16693511           | 16078651           | 32772162                  |

Major initiatives taken by the DTR&DC(including QCL) during last three years include, inter alia, clonal selection programme for development of quality clones for Darjeeling tea industry; determination of suitable pruning cycle for Darjeeling tea industry; integrated nutrient management programme; studies on soil conservation; analysis of quality parameters of Darjeeling tea clones; studies on weed management; standardization of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) parameters in tea at QCL; and field trial on data generation for pesticide residues.

(d) & (e): At present, there is no proposal for setting up of new research centre. However, emphasis has been given to strengthen the existing centres and institutions of tea research.

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