An Introspection of ‘District Green Leaf Price Monitoring Committee’ (DGLPMC)

This chapter attempts to explore the contemporary scenario in the tea industry and explains  that how the industrial map and its geography have changed in recent decades. Firstly, tea economy is divided into organized and unorganized sectors and both the sub-sectors within tea economy contribute 696.49 million kg (51.59%) and 653.55 million kg (48.41%) respectively out of total of 1350.04 million kgs. The average farm size of Small Tea Growers (STGs) is 1.03 ha (Unorganized) and Estate Gardens is 268.11 ha (Organized). Their regional pattern of existence cover almost all corners in India and are spread over all eight states of North-East India, four states in North India and three states in South India. Secondly, it deals with the Tea Marketing Control Order (TMCO) and its provisions under S.O. 1012 (E) dated 15.04.2015 to constitute the District Green Leaf Price Monitoring Committees (DGLPMCs) in each small tea growing districts in the country. It is found that out of total 55 districts in 15 states, the DGLPMCs is constituted only in 28 districts of six states. In another 27 districts in ten states, the DGLPMCs are not constituted and policy exclusions are reported at regional level. As a matter of practice, the average monthly auction prices of CTC teas at district and state levels are displayed over Tea Board website. The Minimum Benchmark Prices (MBPs) of green leaf are notified by the Sub-Regional Offices (SROs) and Regional Offices (ROs) of Tea Board of India however, it does not ensure the payment of same price to the smallholder on ground. It is evident from the field experiences in district Uttar Dinajpur of West Bengal that the provisions of monitoring the farm-gate prices receivable to the smallholders are not adhered and implemented by the Sub-Regional Offices (SROs) and Regional Offices (ROs). Monthly meetings are not conducted and factory-wise actual green leaf price paid to STGs are not notified on monthly basis as per the mandatory E-Form submitted by Bought-Leaf Factories (BLFs).