Agartala: Tripura Tea Development Corporation has set an ambitious target of making four lakh kgs of made tea available in the subsidized rates in the state licensed fair price shop chains. Last year, a total three lakh Kgs of state made tea was sold through the Public Distribution System, Chairman of the state owned body Samir Ghosh has said.
Speaking exclusively to this reporter, the newly appointed head of the state’s tea body said that all efforts would be made to make state’s tea more popular in the domestic and international markets.
“If we can increase the demand of local tea in the domestic market, we don’t have to rely on the other markets for the CTC tea. Tea is a part of our routine and we are trying to tell people that please take tea but make sure it should be home grown. This makes a circular supply chain which is both way beneficial for the farmers, traders and the consumers”, Ghosh who recently succeeded senior BJP leader Santosh Saha has said.
According to Ghosh, PDS is the best medium to increase local tea consumption. “The government fair price shops in our state has a decent consumer base because of the subsidized prices for essential commodities. We are trying to leverage that for better results in the days to come”, he added.
Ghosh also said that the TTDC has collaborated with Tea Board India, Indian Chamber of Commerce and India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce for promotion of the state tea. An event was organized at MBB University, Agartala in presence of Industries and Commerce Minister Santana Chakma. “In the event, detailed discussion on making state more accessible to the people. A number of such awareness events will be conducted in the days to come as well”, he added.
