STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The State-owned Assam Tea Corporation Limited (ATCL) has received bids from 12 companies in response to its tender for leasing out 12 tea gardens under the corporation.
The tender for 30-year leases of 12 of its 15 tea gardens was floated as per a decision taken by the State Government in view of heavy losses suffered by the ATCL for many years. Several attempts had been made by the government to revamp the tea gardens, but all such attempts proved unsuccessful.
The government will retain the ownership rights of the tea gardens, only the management will be leased out.
The 12 tea gardens to be leased out are Amluckie, Deejuvalley, Loongssong, Sycotta, Naginijan, Messamara, Rungamatty, Negheriting, Rajabarie, Deepling, Longai and Ishabheel tea gardens. Out of the remaining three tea gardens, Bholaguri tea garden in the Biswanath Charliali district and Cinnamara in the Jorhat district will be developed as heritage properties, while Bidyanagar tea garden in the Barak Valley will continue functioning under the ATCL.
According to ATCL sources, evaluation of the technical and financial aspects of the bids will be carried out shortly and the successful bidders will be announced after approval of the State Government.
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