With no signs of the agitation for separate Gorkhaland letting up, the Darjeeling tea industry is witnessing cancellation of export orders and fears that bonus payments may become a problem even if normalcy is restored after some days. In a media interaction, the industry said it was now staring at an unprecedented loss. “The industry has been down for nearly two years now and this will deal a crippling blow,” said A.N. Singh, former chairman, Indian Tea Association and MD, Goodricke. About six million kg of Darjeeling tea, comprising about 75% of its output, is exported.
Bonus payment
Binod Mohan, chairman, Darjeeling Tea Association, said that bonus payment, due in September, will now become a problem in view of reduced cash flow. Last year’s payment had amounted to about ₹70 crore.
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