Subsidy for Maintaining Price Stability to Tea

The Price Stabilization Fund Scheme was implemented by the Central Government from the year 2003 to 2013 with a view to protect the farmers of plantation crops including tea from losses on account of price fluctuations. The Scheme was reviewed and, in light of the experience gained from implementing the Scheme, a market-linked Revenue Insurance Scheme for Plantation Crops (RISPC) has been proposed for protecting the farmers of plantation crops, including tea plantations, against losses arising from both fluctuations in yield as well as prices.

To ensure social and economic security, the tea garden workers in the country including the States of Assam, Tamil Nadu and Kerala are provided basic welfare services and amenities such as housing, medical and primary education, water supply, sanitation etc. under the Plantation Labour Act, 1951.

Moreover, the workers of the tea industry are covered by various industrial and social security legislations such as Workmen’s Compensation Act, Payment of Gratuity act, Provident Fund, Payment of Bonus Act, Maternity Benefit Act, Payment of Wages Act.

Besides, the Government implements through the Tea Board welfare activities for tea plantation workers and their dependents in tea estates under the Human Resource Development (HRD) Scheme.

This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) in the Ministry of Commerce & Industry Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.