Small tea grower's urge for support.

SILIGURI: New era brings in new hope. Now that is for the Indian small tea Growers those who contribute over one third in national total tea produce.

The national body of over two lakh Indian small tea growers (STG) has prepared a pre budget proposal paper to be sent to the Union finance Minister. The paper carries details of many of their age old problems vis a vis proposals to address them.

Nearly two lakh small tea growers (SIGs) accounts for more than 36 per cent of total tea production. It was 5 per cent in the early 1990s.

But, "They are deep under unsecured and vulnerable situation having no control over green tea leaves prices, input costs, manufacturing process or national and international trade of made tea," said BG Chakraborty, President of Confederation of Indian Small Tea Growers Association.

"Few highly logical support can make breathing easier for this STG section and in turn, the life of Indian tea industry as a whole," he added.

Major issues they covered in the proposal paper include credit facility. "Despite being purely agricultural farmers, STGs are deprived of financial assistances provided by financial institutes to the farmers from other sector. There is Plantation Credit Card like Kishan Credit Card in Karnataka for small coffee growers. In the same line, we urge Government to provide similar benefit to STGs too," explained Chakraborty.

" Agriculture Insurance Co. of India Ltd." has been introduced to protect agriculture farmers against all odds including climatic disasters. But STGs are not covered by the organization. The paper urged Government for the inclusion.

Special STG Directorate has already been formed. Now STGs want adequate funding for the body.

The special STG Development Scheme was prepared by CISTA in association with Indian Tea Board for 12th Plan period and submitted to the previous Government. "We request for immediate implementation of the scheme that is lying practically untouched so far," said small tea growers.

Moreover, there are request for subsidized fertilizers, excise duty exemptions on machinery and import duty on farm equipments too.

"We hope the Government will definitely give deep though before finalizing its budget proposal and incorporate all these in it," said Chakraborty

Source : economictimes.indiatimes.com