GUWAHATI, July 26 - State Minister of Industry and Commerce Chandra Mohan Patowary today informed the Assam Legislative Assembly that the State government is serious about discussing the problems beleaguering the tea industry of Assam.
Responding to Congress MLA Rupjyoti Kurmi�s concerns about the financial stress faced by the industry, the Minister said that the government would soon convene a meeting of all stakeholders of the tea industry and also sit with the leading tea companies and legislators representing the tea belts of Assam to find a solution to the issues.
Kurmi, while referring to a news item published in The Assam Tribune on July 24, 2019, stated that even major tea companies are facing loss in current financial year, said. �The tea industry is facing a huge burden of around Rs 350 crore annually in the form of paying its share as the employer�s contribution to the Assam Tea Plantation Provident Fund (ATPPF).� He also referred to the impact of GST, hike in petrol and diesel prices and electricity tariff on the tea industry of Assam.
�If the Central and the State governments do not pay attention to this in time, it would leave a lasting dent on the financial health of the industry,� he added.
