Centre announces grant of Rs 567 crore for tea gardens

Darjeeling, Apr 21 (UNI) The Centre has announced a special grant of Rs 567 crore for the sick and weak tea gardens across the country.

The allotment has been sanctioned for new plantations in the tea gardens.

The Tea Board of India (TBI) is co-ordinating the package of Rs 567 crore, that has been sanctioned to revive the old plantations, a senior officer of the TBI, North Bengal, said.

More than 500 tea gardens across the nation have already applied for the grants, TBI sources said.

''The last date of application is April 31. The tea gardens would get the money within May this year,'' added official sources.

Mr Amal Roychowdhury, Deputy Director of TBI, North Bengal, told UNI that they have already notified the announcement publicly.

''I hope the problem of tea gardens in Northern part of Bengal could be solved with this allotment,'' he added.

UNI