Date:24/06/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/24/stories/2008062454841100.htm

National

GJM threatens to close tea gardens

Special Correspondent

Move can adversely impact export prospects

“Will harm economy of area”
Will have repercussion on country’s image

Kolkata: The Gorkha Janamukti Morcha’s threat to include tea gardenswithin the ambit of the indefinite strike has caused dismay in the tea industry, which feels that it willhave widespread repercussion on the country’s image and willcause long term damage to export prospects.

“There has been a scurry to arrange transporters to move the tea bags piling up at the gardens,” a planter said. He said that the same vehicles were being used to ferry rations for the workers and vital inputs like fertilizers for the gardens.

Even as the apex industry association, the Darjeeling Tea Association went into a huddle hoping that the GJM does not implement such a suicidal move, Chairman of the Tea Board of India Basudeb Banerjee said closure of the gardens would have a long-term adverse impact on India’s export prospects. He said that 40 per cent annual output of Darjeeling tea camefrom this second flush season—which was now being held to ransom. “ It will harm the economy of that area.” he said.

Talks held

Discussions were held in this regard with West Bengal industry secretary Sabyasachi Sen too. However the solution will have to be a political one, Mr. Banerjee said.

Industry sources said that Darjeeling was a success story of India’s exports as various measures to turnaround the sick tea gardens, developing a logo and protecting it in international markets had all begun to yield results.

Of the 87 gardens, which cover a 7,500 hectare of area on the slopes of the eastern Himalayas, barring one or two all had been revived, sources said. “All gardens are now earning money. The agitation and proposed garden closure comes at a very bad time.”

Teams from Germany and Japan who had come for a visit to the tea estates from which they buy teas have now returned after camping in the city for a few days. Nearly 50 per cent of the total exports of Darjeeling tea valued at Rs. 200 crore go to Germany which re-exports it to other European countries. Japan too is a very high-value tea importer.