Assam and Bengal, India’s two leading tea producing states, are poised to choose different paths in the battle to come out of the extended lockdown which has crippled production and threatened livelihood of lakhs of workers. The busiest season for the tea industry from March to June when the best quality brew is produced, fetching nearly two-third of the revenue. Having only a quarter of the workforce would certainly dent productivity and profitability of Bengal gardens more, especially those located in the Darjeeling hills. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee reiterated Bengal’s decision to allow only 25 per cent workforce on the day the Centre said 50 per cent of the labourers could be engaged. But I am hoping Bengal will soon follow Assam,” said a city-based industrialist who has interest in tea and jute.

Source: The Telegraph April 15, 2020 22:07 UTC