A few parties of Tamil Nadu, barring ruling AIADMK, held a meeting where it was demanded fixing a Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 25 for tea leaves, which is currently being sold at Rs 5 per kg. Representatives of Congress, CPI, CPI-M, BJP, JD (S) and JDU) have attended the meeting.
In the meeting an appeal was made to the MLAs and MPs, representing tea growing regions, to exert pressure on the Centre on the need for fixing a minimum price for tea leaves. The meeting highlighted that growers were affected due to the low price and the Centre has to take urgent remedial measures to save the industry from extinction.
Last month in December, representatives of the Nilgiris Nelikolu Micro and Small Tea Growers and Farmers’ Development (NSTF) Society urged the Government to pass orders announcing at least Rs 25 per kg for green tea leaf.