An expert committee constituted by State Innovation and Transformation Aayog (SITA) held threadbare discussions with officials of the Tocklai Research Centre on Thursday to revamp the centre and also address various issues plaguing the tea industry of Assam.
Also read: Assam: Issues of tea industry and revival of Tocklai Tea Research Centre discussed
As per the decision of the Committee constituted by State Innovation and Transformation Aayog (SITA) to look into the problem of the tea industry of Assam and revamping of Tocklai Tea Research Centre, the committee members headed by its chairman Dr Mridul Hazarika, vice chancellor of Gauhati University had interacted with the staff of the Research Centre to examine the issues ailing the research centre and to suggest redressal measures.
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The committee shall also look into the issues of both small and big tea players. The committee has completed its interaction with all the staff at Tocklai Tea Research Centre including the secretary and chairman of Tea Research Association in Jorhat on May 21 last.
The Committee had also visited the Kolkata office and interacted with tea company giants and the vice chairman of Tea Board and collected required information for framing recommendations on May 28 last.
It has now come to the stage of discussion with tea industry of Assam and the small tea growers. Equipped with the information, the committee shall have futuristic discussion with senior officers of Ministry of Commerce, Govrnment of India and submit its report to State Innovation and Transformation Aayog (SITA) at the earliest.
The move of SITA is learnt to have been appreciated by Tocklai Tea Research Centre, Tea Board and the Tea Association. State Innovation and Transformation Aayog (SITA) is interested to restore the glory and proper functioning of the more than a century old research institution of Assam.