Coronavirus: Assam tea industry seeks exemption from lockdown

Guwahati, Mar 24 () The Assam tea industry onTuesday sought exemption of gardens from the lockdownannounced by the state government to contain the spread of thenovel coronavirus.

The Consultative Committee of Plantation Associations'Assam Valley branch convenor Abhijit Sharma said thatnecessary plant protection measures through spraying of pestrepellents to tea bushes and irrigation are essential.

In the absence of such measures, there will bepermanent damage to the tea bushes, which will aggravatelosses of production and productivity, Sharma, who is alsosecretary of Assam Branch of Indian Tea Association, said.

"We, therefore, would like to make a humble submissionto allow the tea gardens to undertake spraying and irrigationoperations in the tea sections and the concerned executives,staff and workers to work in such operations during the periodof closure as announced," Sharma said in a letter to theprincipal secretary of the labour welfare department.

The state government had announced that Assam will beunder lockdown from 6 pm on Tuesday till March 31 in the wakeof the novel coronavirus pandemic.

In view of scanty rainfall at present, it is alsorequired to continue irrigation in the tea gardens, Sharmasaid.

The Tea Research Association (TRA), in a separateletter, has also said that the essential plant protectionmeasures are necessary for the productivity of tea gardens. DGBDC BDC