GTAC brokers to face action for buying & selling inferior teas

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Expressing concern over the surge in tea production, the Tea Board of India has warned brokers operating at the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre (GTAC) not to buy or sell inferior teas which according to the Board is bound to reach the market.

The availability of inferior teas is harming the name and fame of Assam tea in the national as well as the international markets.

The Board, in its latest official communiqué to all brokers at GTAC, said that it had received feedback of a surge in production and supply of inferior-quality teas in the market. Such teas, which are likely to flout the specifications laid down by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), may have been on sale in the auction or in private through the tea brokers under GTAC.

Sources in the Tea Board said that the high production of tea has resulted in a demand-supply imbalance, bringing down prices. Some teas are selling for as low as Rs 60-70 per kg in GTAC. Assam produced 715.79 million kg of tea in 2019, an increase of 23.88 million kg as compared to 691.91 million kg in 2018. The share of the big growers is 704.62 million kg, while that of the small growers is 685.08 million kg.

The Tea Board added that the pan-India auction rules stipulate that only teas conforming to the FSSAI standards shall be cataloged and offered for sale; and in case of any doubt, the broker shall send the teas for testing/chemical analysis. The Tea (Marketing) Control Order also prohibits manufacturing and dealing of teas not conforming to the specifications laid down by FSSAI.

“In this regard, it is hereby informed that for the greater interest of the industry and the name and fame of Assam Tea, any tea broker under GTAC, in case, is indulging in buying/selling of such inferior quality teas through auction or privately may refrain from such practice and all the tea brokers are hereby directed not to promote such inferior quality reach the market and consumers,” the Board’s communiqué said. Brokers violating the Tea Board’s instruction will face action of suspension/cancellation to be taken by the Board following due procedure.

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