CM for rejuveting tea industry

GUWAHATI, Aug 29: Considering the important role played by the tea industry in the economic growth and employment generation in the state, Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal has asked the Vice Chairman and other Governing Body members of State Innovation & Transformation Ayog (SITA) to focus more on rejuveting the tea sector.

While chairing the 1st Governing Body meeting of SITA at Dispur on Tuesday, the Chief Minister said that Assam tea is facing serious challenges in intertiol market and its demand has significantly gone down in recent times.  “The tea industry demands urgent and timely intervention for regaining its share in the intertiol market. SITA should come up with novel ideas to revamp the industry and move forward involving all stakeholders”, Sonowal opined.

The Chief Minister also urged the SITA members to take steps for engaging the expertise of the union fince and industry & commerce ministry in its effort to give a renewed momentum to the tea sector in Assam. He also advised the Ayog to organize a semir involving tea experts, Assam Tea Corporation, leading tea planters etc. so that new and effective strategies could be chalked out.

Sonowal also stated that SITA must take some concrete measures for giving a boost to the state’s growth trajectory so that the new generation develops positive perspective about Assam. Keeping this in mind, the Chief Minister asked the Governing Body members to work out strategy for revamping the APOL industry which has stopped production for past several years.