By TC News Desk
Agartala, January 19: Tripura Tea Development Corporation (TTDC) has announced the opening of a new tea auction center and a central tea processing factory in the state, with the approval of the central government through NITI Aayog. The chairman of TTDC, Samir Ranjan Ghosh on Friday, said that the new facilities would boost the tea industry of Tripura and help it gain recognition in the domestic and international markets.
He said that the tea auction center, which will be the first of its kind in the state, will solve the transportation problem and ensure a fair price for the tea produced in the state. He said that the central tea processing factory, located at Durgabari, will start functioning soon and will create new employment opportunities for the people of the state. He said that Tripura tea, which has a unique flavor and aroma, will be able to compete with other tea varieties in the global market.
He expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha and the Prime Minister of the state for their support and initiative in starting the new facilities. He also praised the current state government for taking several historic decisions for the overall development of the tea industry. He mentioned some of the achievements of the government, such as giving land rights to the tea workers, amending the TLR Act to promote tea tourism, introducing a logo for Tripura tea, and starting a course on tea in MBB University.
He said that the tea industry of Tripura, which has a history of 108 years, is one of the major sources of income and livelihood for the state. He said that about 20,000 people are directly involved in the industry and about one crore kg of tea is produced in the state every year. He said that Tripura accounts for 10 percent of the tea production in India and ranks fifth in the country. He said that despite producing good quality tea, Tripura tea did not receive much attention or recognition in the past. He said that after 2018, the government has taken a new approach to the tea industry and has made arrangements to provide tea to the people of Tripura through ration shops. He said that the new facilities will further enhance the prospects of the tea industry and make Tripura tea a global brand. He was accompanied by Manik Lal Das, the managing director of TTDC, at the press conference.
