Mr. Bista highlighted the recurring neglect of North Bengal, pointing out that announcements like the Rs 100 crore for Cha Sundari projects remain unfulfilled year after year.
SNS, SILIGURI, 12 FEBRUARY 2025 : The Tea Association of India (TAI) has welcomed the government’s decision to extend the exemption of agricultural income tax for the tea industry until 31 March 2026, as announced in the state Budget for FY 2025-26. The move is seen as a boost for the sector, which has been facing financial challenges, making it difficult to address the sector’s concerns effectively.
The industry body also acknowledged the ‘Nadi Bandhan’ scheme, which aims to integrate river-centric initiatives and improve the livelihoods of communities living along riverbanks in North Bengal. Given that many tea estates are located in these regions, TAI emphasized the need for the scheme to address the concerns of tea workers and estate owners.
However, the association pointed out that the tea industry, currently under severe financial stress, would have benefited from direct fiscal support. TAI stressed the need for measures such as interest subvention on working capital loans, as high borrowing costs continue to burden tea gardens. The industry body also urged the government to consider additional relief measures to ensure the long-term sustainability of the sector.
Additionally, the state has allocated Rs 200 crore to combat river erosion—a persistent issue in North Bengal that has led to significant loss of tea garden land. TAI expressed optimism that this provision would help protect critical riverbanks and mitigate further damage.
