[ Pisi Zauing ]
MIAO, 11 Jul: A coordination meeting of small tea growers (STG) and factory owners was held under the chairmanship of Changlang DC Dr Devansh Yadav on Saturday to address issues and problems faced by the STGs in Bordumsa.
After threadbare discussion, a price monitoring committee was constituted to ensure that the STGs get the right price for their raw green leaves.
The committee will issue the prevailing market rates as per the Assam Tea Board, along with other prevailing rates on a regular basis, apart from overseeing the payment of such prices to the small tea growers.
Changlang district is known for tea gardens, but the hardworking small tea growers never get the right price for their green leaves, allegedly due to ‘well-planned manipulation’ by factory owners and middlemen.
It was also resolved in the meeting that the tea factory owners too will have to display the daily rates of tea leaves.
Labour wages are to be paid @ 20 paise per kilogram for dropping tea leaves at the factory.
Farmer interest groups (FIG), comprising four to six small tea estates, will be formed, and the Small Tea Growers Association (STGA) will help out the FIGs in removing middlemen by arranging vehicles for transportation of tea leaves.
The STGA will impart training to small tea growers and submit a report within 15 days.
