GUWAHATI: The Assam government is mulling over a proposal to provide subsidised tea to all ration card holders, coinciding with the 200th-anniversary celebration of the tea plantation industry in the state.
Announcing the government’s intentions, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma revealed plans to offer tea to ration card holders at a rate of Rs 100-150 per kilogram, starting from the year 2024.
“The market price of a bag of 1 kg tea leaves comes up to be around Rs 350 to Rs 400. But the Assam government is trying to provide a kilogram of tea leaves at a subsidised price for ration card holders in our fair-priced shops. We are trying to fix the subsidised rate at around Rs 100 to Rs 150 per kilogram,” the Chief Minister told the press.
However, Chief Minister Sarma made it clear that the implementation of this scheme is not feasible within the current year.
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“We are planning to do it in the next year. We have invited all tea companies for a discussion in this regard. We asked them whether they could supply tea at these subsidised rates or not. As soon as they reply to us, we will take a final decision,” he added.
Assam contributes 50% of the country’s tea output. The state’s tea industry is not only a source of livelihood for millions but also plays a vital role in generating foreign exchange earnings, estimated at around Rs 3,000 crore annually. India, as a whole, contributes 23-24% to the global tea production.
The history of Assam’s tea industry dates back to 1823, when the first tea estates were established in the state’s upper reaches. The Assam tea industry is celebrated globally for its richly coloured and aromatic tea, offering both orthodox and CTC (Crush, Tear, Curl) varieties of tea.
Over the years, the tea industry in Assam has seen a transformation. Initially dominated by large corporate-owned gardens, it now boasts the participation of smaller players.
Thousands of small farmers have joined the tea cultivation business, transitioning from paddy farming. Unemployed youths have taken up tea cultivation as a business venture, some even growing tea in their backyards, while others have initiated their tea stories through startups.
