GUWAHATI: Appealing to the tea connection of new Prime minister, Narendra Modi, tea traders sought exemption of tea sector from the ambit of Food Safety and Standards Act ( FSSA), 2011 and giving tea the status of national drink.
Vice-chairman of Federation of All India Tea Traders Association (AITTA) Dinesh Bihani told ET, "In last few months Modi's campaign through "Chai Pe Charcha" increased the Tea consumption."
As Modi rose from a "Chaiwala" to prime minister tea traders seek his attention to some core issues afflicting the sector.
He said that the government of India introduced FSSAI Act. However, most of the rules of FSSAI are already included in Tea board rules." Therefore we appeal to prime minister to exempt tea from the ambit of FSSAI act. As tea is consumed by ordinary people of India and it is the cheapest beverage so we think that the new government should exempt tea from all taxes similar to other agriculture commodity."
AITTA added government should give more incentives to exporters, and this will help in brand building of tea outside the country. India exported close to 218.12 million kg (mkgs) of tea as compared to 216.23 million kg in 2012-13. Exports in 2013-14 had fetched Rs 4,391.64 crore as compared to Rs 4,005.93 crore.
The traders added that tea sell through auction is one of the best platform. "We hope 75 percent of produce of tea should be sold through Tea auctions".
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