Archive · 4 Sep 2025
Tea Producers Seek Intervention Over Imports, MP Questions PF
Tea producers in North Bengal are worried because cheaper tea is being brought in from other countries, which is hurting their business.
They want the government to do something about it.
At the same time, a local politician is looking into problems with how the government office that manages retirement funds for tea workers is working.
He says workers are having trouble getting their money, and he suspects something fishy is going on.
Officials from the retirement fund office say they are helping the politician and that all their processes are online.
The situation involves the price of tea, the problems of local businesses, and the handling of worker retirement funds.
North Bengal BLFs are facing financial difficulties due to cheaper tea imports.
Imports from Nepal, Sri Lanka, and other countries are priced at ₹65-70 per kilo.
BLF tea is sold at ₹100 per kilo, with a very small profit margin.
BJP MP Manoj Tigga questioned the performance of Jalpaiguri EPFO office.
Tigga suspects an organized racket is working within EPFO to mismanage funds.
- Who
- North Bengal BLFs, BJP MP Manoj Tigga, EPFO officials.
- What
- BLFs are concerned about tea imports affecting their business, MP questions EPFO performance regarding provident funds.
- When
- The NBTPWA meeting occurred last Saturday, MP visited EPFO office on Wednesday.
- Where
- North Bengal, Jalpaiguri EPFO office.
- Why
- BLFs seek intervention due to cheaper tea imports; MP questions EPFO over handling of tea workers' provident funds.
- Tea Import Price
- ₹65 to ₹70 per kilo
- BLF Tea Price
- ₹100 per kilo
- MP
- Manoj Tigga
- MP's Concern
- Provident Fund issues at EPFO office
- Affected Businesses
- Bought-leaf factories in North Bengal
- Organizations Involved
- NBTPWA, ABLTMA, FITMA, EPFO