Binnaguri (Jalpaiguri): Tea garden owners want the state govt to let them use unused land for townships, IT parks, and logistics hubs to offset recurring losses.At the 54th AGM of the Tea Association of India’s (TAI) north Bengal chapter in Binnaguri on Saturday, chapter chairman Uttam Chakraborty said the association has urged the govt to allow projects like industrial and logistics hubs, biotech, IT and food parks, and townships on garden leasehold land on payment of salami/rent.TAI president Shailaja Mehta said: “In a recent presentation to the state govt, we asked to allow garden owners to use unused land for commercial purposes. While the matter is pending with the state, we are optimistic.”The govt has allowed 15% of unused garden land for other purposes. “We just want the state not to dictate how we use the land,” said Prabir Bhattacharjee, TAI secretary general. The request comes as the industry faces sharp erosion in price realisation. North Indian teas averaged Rs 204.5 per kg in 2025, down 10% from the previous year.Siliguri Tea Auction Committee data showed Dooars and Terai tea prices in the organised sector at Rs 215.5/kg and Rs 176.5/kg respectively in 2025; the unorganised sector fetched Rs 123.7/kg and Rs 116.5/kg. The price gap reflects quality variation in an industry where quality determines prices.TAI wants the state govt to subsidise switching from CTC to orthodox tea like Assam does. “Assam gives a 10% subsidy, which may rise to 15% soon. We have urged Bengal to take similar steps,” Bhattacharjee said.“India produced 140 million kg of orthodox tea in 2025, mostly exported at handsome prices. Without such measures, Bengal’s tea industry will struggle to survive,” he added.The region has 178 tea gardens in Dooars, 45 in Terai, and 84 in Darjeeling, employing over three lakh workers.
