Multi-cropping in plantations in Bengal

Kolkata, Sept 23: Multi-cropping in tea plantations in West Bengal would be approved on a case to case basis, state's industries director M V Rao said today.

"We do not give blanket approval to multi-cropping projects like tea tourism projects. Approval will be granted on a case to case basis," Mr Rao told reporters on the sidelines of Indian Tea Association's (ITA) annual general meeting.

Similarly, Assam government has accorded approval for multi-cropping in some of the tea gardens owned by the Tata's and not in all the tea gardens, he said.

ITA chairman Percy Siganporia called for a regulatory framework for the bought leaf factories in North Bengal and Assam, which contribute around 21 per cent of tea production in India.

He said the industry has called for 40 per cent subsidy under the Special Purpose Tea Fund (SPTF) for rejuvenation of tea plants whereas the Commerce Ministry has recommended 30 per cent subsidy to the cabinet. This would hamper the very object of the creation of the fund, he said.

The ITA also suggested strategic export drive in slated key markets like Pakistan, Iran, Egypt, USA, subsidy on Orthodox production, transport subsidy for Tea movement from North East, government assistance for Tea promotion activities in selected overseas markets and withdrawal of Green Leaf Cess in Assam particularly in respect of exports out of the State.

UNI