The Current Scenario of the Tea Board of India
India is the second-largest producer of Tea in the world. Also, the fourth-biggest exporters, after China, Sri Lanka, and Kenya.
However, the basic reality is totally different as:
- Production is stagnant and of a low export quality Tea leaf.
- Financial constraints have led to low investment in plantations and there on steep fall in the quality of ‘Tea leaf’.
- A massive lack of infrastructure and significant labour issues have arisen due to the demand for rising labour costs.
Other problems like Climatic change and increase in transportation costs further worsened the situation and many organized players left the sector. Resulting in an increase in the number of small tea producers who do not comply with the Plantation Act and the Tea Act.
Thus, currently, when things are getting out of control the Commerce ministry is trying its level best to bring the Tea sector back to the growth track through new legislation and reforms.
Which may finally take off the nationalistic and socialistic governmental age-old regulation on the industry. And the modified Tea act works more like a provider, not as a controller.
The Tea Board of India
The Indian government established “The Tea Board of India” in 1953 with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, to increase the production, domestic trade, and export of tea. “The Tea act” was finally introduced and established on April 1, 1954. It was headquartered in Kolkata, West Bengal, and headed by the Deputy Chairman Mr. P.K. Sahoo.
The Board comprises 31 members inclusive of the Chairman.
- They are Members of Parliament, tea producers, traders, brokers, and consumers.
- And government officials from major tea-producing states.
- Trade unions can also become members of the board. Every 3 years the Board is reset.
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