ITA Opposes Mandatory Auction for Nepal Tea, Seeks Protection for Darjeeling Industry

The Indian Tea Association (ITA) secretary general, Arijit Raha, has urged the deputy chairman of the Tea Board of India to reconsider the proposal for a mandatory auction system for teas imported from Nepal.

- MANAS R BANNERJEE

In a letter dated 14 January, Mr Raha outlined the ITA's concerns, emphasizing the need for protective measures for the Darjeeling tea industry instead.

Mr Raha highlighted that the increasing import of Nepalese tea has severely impacted the viability of Darjeeling tea. While most Nepalese tea is exported to India under the Revised Free Trade Treaty of 2009, which exempts it from basic customs duty, India-made tea exported to Nepal faces a 40 per cent import duty. This disparity, he argued, puts the Indian tea sector—especially Darjeeling tea producers—at a disadvantage.