GJAC’s threats to stop export of tea and timber worries exporters Darjeeling, 18 August: The Gorkhaland Joint Action Committee’s threat to shut down the export of tea as well as timber from Darjeeling today in a move meant to paralyse the economy of the state, has however made major tea exporters worried. Even though the statehood movement has kept the 87 tea plantations of the hills out of the strike’s purview to allow them to carry on the plucking and manufacturing of the ongoing monsoon flush, a fresh tension was occasioned for the Darjeeling tea industry when the committee made the announcement today to ban the export. “The shutdown in export will reflect in the economy further creating a regretful reputation of the Darjeeling tea,” says the expert in tea industry. The monsoon flush generally starts from mid July to mid September. “The present plucking season makes about 20 per cent of the total plucking that takes places only this time of the year. It is a really significant month for tea plantation owners," said Mr Shyam Sundar Bagaria, chairman of the Darjeeling Tea Association. “If we do not fulfil the commitment that we have already made to the national and international exporters of Darjeeling tea, it will not only create a problem for the tea industry but will damage the reputation of the Darjeeling tea,” he adds. Darjeeling tea is largely exported to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy and France who are the Continental buyers while countries like the UK, USA and Japan are also major importers of the Darjeeling tea. “The production of Darjeeling tea comes to four million kg annually with the approximate value of Rs 300 crore.” Mr Bagaria said. The tea industry did earn a breather with the four-day relaxation from 15 August till today where they could gather stock and necessary materials for the functioning of the plantations, such as coal that is necessary for heating, diesel to run generators and food rations for workers for the next two weeks. The GJAC is spearheading a movement for the separate Gorkhaland state. The leaders of the committee had today announced its threat to paralyse the economy of the state. “We will soon chalk out the strategy to freeze the export of tea and timber,” Mr Enos Das Pradhan, the chairman of the GJAC, said. However, the observer feels that the committee threat to shut down the export of tea and timber is filled with uncertainty, and a scare tactic.
Posted on: Mon, 19 Aug 2013 08:02:04 +0000
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