Last Updated on June 5, 2024 11: 30pm
Dibrugarh: The Assam Bought Leaf Tea Manufacturers Association (ABLTMA) has reversed its decision to close factories following assurances from small tea growers’ associations.
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The reversal comes after appeals from the Upper Assam Small Tea Planters’ Association and some members of the All Assam Small Tea Growers’ Association, who pledged to stop using banned chemicals in their plantations.
ABLTMA President Chand Kumar Gohain announced the decision at a press conference held today at the Gymkhana Club. “In response to requests and assurances from the small tea growers’ associations regarding the non-use of prohibited chemicals, we have chosen to temporarily withdraw our shutdown decision,” Gohain stated. “All ABLTMA member factories will resume accepting green tea leaves from small tea growers starting tomorrow.”
Gohain added, “We also plan to voice our concerns to the government and the Tea Board to seek an immediate resolution” regarding the issue of untested green leaves.
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Diganta Hazarika, General Secretary of the Upper Assam Small Tea Planters’ Association, also addressed the media at the event.
Previously, ABLTMA had announced a closure of its factories from June 1st, citing concerns about producing tea compliant with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulations due to the use of untested green leaves by small growers.