Special fund for tea gardens in North Bengal: Jairam Ramesh

Siliguri, Jun 27 (UNI) Special fund for reviving tea gardens in North Bengal has been sanctioned, Union Minister of state for Commerce Mr Jairam Ramesh announced here today.

Mr Ramesh said, his ministry had sanctioned Rs 15 crore for 45 tea gardens initially.

'' There are total 302 tea gardens in this part of Bengal, but 81 tea gardens needed the special revival fund. Considering all the situations the Centre has recognized 45 tea gardens, '' said the Union Minister.

The Union Minister was here to re-open the tea gardens, which were closed since long. He sought to immediately open up five tea gardens here.

Although one garden was initiated to re-open, the fate of the remaining 13 was still unknown. There were 14 tea gardens, which were closed down a long time ago.

He said that Kerala had a similar problem since long, but after his order to revive the gardens, Kerala government initiated to open the gardens and they could re-open five tea gardens there whereas West Bengal government failed to open those gardens.

The official announcement of the Special Tea Fund is yet to be made at Jalpaiguri Tea Auction Centre on June 29 in presence of the Union minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Pranab Mukherjee and the Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Mr Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi.

UNI