GUWAHATI, Sept 21 � Perhaps Assam is losing this time the chance of getting one of its senior IAS officers appointed as chairman of the Tea Board of India. This is due to the alleged lackadaisical attitude of the Assam Government and the hectic lobbying by a section of bureaucrats, politicians and the Dooars tea lobby of West Bengal in contrast.� The post is falling vacant next month.
The incumbent chairman of the Tea Board is from the West Bengal cadre. On top of this, the vice-chairman of the Board also belongs to the West Bengal cadre. This neighbouring state produces about 23 per cent of the country�s total tea.
It has become a convention for the past decades to appoint senior IAS officers of Assam and West Bengal cadres alternately against the post of the Tea Board chief. Accordingly, this time Assam is to get its turn. Assam contributes 51 per cent to the total amount of tea produced by India.
This post assumes significance for the overall development of the tea industry in Assam, including the development of its around 65,000 small tea growers.
Assam had sent two names to fill up the post this time and the Civil Services Board (CSB) selected one of the officers named in the list, rejecting the list sent by West Bengal and Chattisgarh. However, it has been reported that an impasse has occurred over the issue because of the pressure from West Bengal.
The West Bengal lobby is hyper active to retain the post of Tea Board Chairman for the second consecutive term. It is now trying its best to block the legitimate claim of Assam in this connection. Interestingly, Chattisgarh, which has no significant contribution towards the total amount of tea produced by the country, has also started lobbying for the post.
The Tea Board of India is a statutory body under the Union Ministry of Commerce. It regulates the country�s entire tea trade. It was established by the enactment of the Tea Act 1953, with its headquarters in Kolkata. It is responsible for export certification, endorsement of the diverse production and productivity of tea, financial support to research institutions and projects, among others. Its offices are located in Kolkata, London, Moscow and Dubai.
Meanwhile, tea industry sources here said that the situation has come to such a state now that the roles of the Prime Minister, who is an MP from the State, Chief Minister of Assam, Lok Sabha MP Pawan Singh Ghatowar and the other MPs from Assam have become crucial in this matter.