Tea Industry at Stake Owing to Ongoing Gorkhaland Agitation I Rs. 150 Crores Loss Estimated

NBT : Siliguri, July 6:As a direct result owing to the hills shut down, tea gardens planters across North Bengal hills have sustained loss of atleast Rs.150 crores as of now, as per sources and claims by concerned end. On this date of 23rd day of absolute hills bandh has enormously affected 87 tea gardens, resulting in hefty loss for planters. As per sources, the plucking of tea leaves has been stopped as the processing unit is deserted since 23 days.
Notably, State Tourism Minister and chairman of tea directorate Mr Gautam Deb has called a meet of planters on voming July 15, in order to take stock of the aforesaid on going hefty loss at the office of the tea directorate situated at Vivekananda Bhawan, opposite to Biswadeep cinema hall along Hill cart road. pc(net)