The Nilgiris: Tea is cultivated in around 45,000 hectares in the Nilgiris district. In the recent days, tea production in the Nilgiris is under a negative spotlight after consumers and activists have raised concerns over adulterated teas manufactured by numerous factories in the region.
The Nilgiris: Tea is cultivated in around 45,000 hectares in the Nilgiris district. In the recent days, tea production in the Nilgiris is under a negative spotlight after consumers and activists have raised concerns over adulterated teas manufactured by numerous factories in the region.
Addressing the issue, M. Balaji, Executive Director, Tea Board, Zonal office at Coonoor on Saturday warned that stringent action will be taken against those who are involved in tea adulteration.
He said that more than 65,000 tea producers, especially people of Badaga community are completely dependent on tea production in the Nilgiris.
"For the past 10 years, tea producers are facing serious issues, due to depreciating price of tea leaves. In the recent past, it has come to light that some private tea factories have been involved in production of adulterated tea in the Nilgiris", he noted.
Apprising on the recent raids by the officials of Tea Board, the Executive Director said that "On May 24, five tonnes of adulterated tea was seized in Kotagiri. Similarly, on June 14, 40 tonnes of tea powder adulterated with colorants was seized in a private tea factory in Sholur village. Such incidents cause great concern among the tea producers and the consumers."
"So far, 17 factories have been issued notices and a temporary ban has been issued to the auction company which has allowed the sale of such adulterated tea", the Executive Director noted.
However, the small scale tea growers presume that the increasing demand for the Nilgiris tea, prompts tea factories to resort to adulteration.
Even in a recent crackdown, officials of Tea Board seized tonnes of adulterants transported in a truck to the Nilgiris near Kotagiri and Kunjapannai in March and May, respectively. It may be noted that the officials of Tea Board in the Nilgiris seized Rs. 13 Crore of adulterated tea in 2018 and 2.5 lakh kg of adulterated tea in 2017.
Addressing the issue, M. Balaji, Executive Director, Tea Board, Zonal office at Coonoor on Saturday warned that stringent action will be taken against those who are involved in tea adulteration.
He said that more than 65,000 tea producers, especially people of Badaga community are completely dependent on tea production in the Nilgiris.
"For the past 10 years, tea producers are facing serious issues, due to depreciating price of tea leaves. In the recent past, it has come to light that some private tea factories have been involved in production of adulterated tea in the Nilgiris", he noted.
Apprising on the recent raids by the officials of Tea Board, the Executive Director said that "On May 24, five tonnes of adulterated tea was seized in Kotagiri. Similarly, on June 14, 40 tonnes of tea powder adulterated with colorants was seized in a private tea factory in Sholur village. Such incidents cause great concern among the tea producers and the consumers."
"So far, 17 factories have been issued notices and a temporary ban has been issued to the auction company which has allowed the sale of such adulterated tea", the Executive Director noted.
However, the small scale tea growers presume that the increasing demand for the Nilgiris tea, prompts tea factories to resort to adulteration.
Even in a recent crackdown, officials of Tea Board seized tonnes of adulterants transported in a truck to the Nilgiris near Kotagiri and Kunjapannai in March and May, respectively. It may be noted that the officials of Tea Board in the Nilgiris seized Rs. 13 Crore of adulterated tea in 2018 and 2.5 lakh kg of adulterated tea in 2017.