Archive · 4 Jan 2026
Tea Board to Test 100% of Imports
The Tea Board of India is going to start testing all the tea that comes into the country to make sure it's good quality.
Right now, cheap and not-so-good tea is coming in from places like Nepal and Vietnam, and it's hurting the tea industry, especially in Darjeeling.
The board is setting up the necessary things to do this testing in about 15 to 20 days.
They also have a big plan to spend money on making Indian tea better and more popular around the world.
Some people are also saying that the industry should help workers by giving them a share in the tea gardens, so they feel more involved and responsible.
The board wants to make sure that the tea industry in India stays strong and healthy.
However, the Tea Association of India (TAI) has raised concerns about the land patta plan, saying it could cause financial and legal problems because most tea garden land is already used as collateral for bank loans.
They also mentioned that the price of tea has been falling, which is making things harder for tea growers.
The TAI asked the governments of Assam and West Bengal to think about these issues before they make any changes.
The Tea Board of India will implement 100% testing for imported tea to prevent cheap, inferior quality imports.
Cheap imports from Nepal and Vietnam are reportedly destroying the domestic tea industry, particularly in Darjeeling.
The infrastructure for testing will be set up within 15 to 20 days, followed by legal opinion and ministry approval.
The Tea Board will facilitate the auction process but not get directly involved, and will promote Indian tea globally.
Under the Tea Development and Promotion Scheme of 2026, ₹1,500 crore has been earmarked for the next five years, benefiting small tea growers.
- Who
- Tea Board of India, Deputy Chairman C Murugan, Tea Association of India (TAI), West Bengal Labour Secretary Avanindra Singh, TAI President Sandeep Singhania, Assam and West Bengal governments
- What
- Implementation of 100% testing for imported tea to prevent cheap, inferior quality imports; concerns raised by TAI regarding land patta plan and tea price decline
- When
- Implementation to start within 15 to 20 days, with approval from the commerce ministry; tea price decline in 2025
- Where
- India, with specific focus on the Darjeeling tea industry in West Bengal and Assam
- Why
- To protect the domestic tea industry from cheap, inferior quality imports that are destroying the industry, particularly in Darjeeling; to address financial and legal complications of the land patta plan and the decline in tea prices
Tea Association of India (TAI)
State Governments (Assam and West Bengal)
Land Patta Plan
Tea Association of India (TAI)
The TAI opposes the land patta plan, citing financial and legal complications as most tea garden land is pledged as collateral to banks. They argue that the Land Ceiling Act pertains to land, not structures, and that compensation for company-built assets needs to be addressed separately. They also point out that the Plantations Labour Act mandates providing housing and other amenities to workers, which would still be the management's responsibility even after land transfer.
State Governments (Assam and West Bengal)
The Assam and West Bengal governments intend to provide land pattas to tea garden workers, aiming to address historical injustices and improve the living conditions of tea workers.
- Deputy Chairman
- C Murugan
- Testing Duration
- 15 to 20 days
- Funding Scheme
- Tea Development and Promotion Scheme of 2026
- Funding Amount
- ₹1,500 crore
- Funding Duration
- 5 years
- Affected Industries
- Darjeeling tea industry
- Countries of Concern
- Nepal, Vietnam
- Key Stakeholders
- Tea Association of India (TAI), West Bengal Labour Secretary Avanindra Singh, TAI President Sandeep Singhania
- Tea Price Decline (All-India)
- Rs 12.31 per kg (6%)
- Tea Price Decline (North India)
- Rs 16.73 per kg (8%)
- ATISIS 2020 Subsidy Issue
- Pending disbursement due to budget constraints
Sources
Tea Board for 100% testing of imported crop: Dy Chairman
Tea Board for hundred per cent testing of imported crop: Dy Chairman
Industry flags tea price dip across India despite 35% surge in production levels - Telegraph India
Tea growers seek urgent policy support to stabilise tea industry
