The Assam Bought Leaf Tea Manufacturers Association (ABLTMA) has opted to temporarily withdraw its decision to close factories.
This comes after receiving appeals and assurances from the Upper Assam Small Tea Planters’ Association and certain members of the All-Assam Small Tea Growers’ Association, who have committed to refraining from using banned chemicals in their plantations.
Resumption of Operations
Chand Kumar Gohain, the president of ABLTMA, informed the media that the association would recommence accepting green tea leaves from small tea growers beginning tomorrow.
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He expressed, “Responding to the small tea growers’ association’s requests and assurances on refraining from prohibited chemicals, we’ve decided to temporarily suspend our shutdown plan. Starting tomorrow, all ABLTMA member factories will resume accepting green tea leaves from small tea growers. Additionally, we intend to raise our concerns with the government and the Tea Board to expedite a resolution.”
Diganta Hazarika, the general secretary of the Upper Assam Small Tea Planters’ Association, also spoke to the media during the event.
ABLTMA had previously announced a shutdown of its factories effective June 1, attributing it to the challenge of producing FSSAI-compliant tea from untested green leaves sourced from small growers.
Assam boasts more than 280 BLFs factories.
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