Tea turmoil: State govt amends Tea Tourism Policy in response to protests brewing over land rights

In response to widespread protests from opposition parties and trade unions across the tea belt of Terai, Dooars, and Hill regions, the West Bengal government has amended certain provisions of the Tea Tourism and Allied Business Policy, 2019.

- MANAS R BANNERJEE

The amendments, particularly concerning a recent notification published in The Kolkata Gazette on 7 February 2025, were announced yesterday by Special Secretary Jitin Yadav through an updated notification dated 18 March 2025.

The first point of the amended notification clarifies: "Certain amendments have been made to the Tea Tourism and Allied Business Policy, 2019, as notified vide Notification No. 486-LP dated 07.02.2025, published in The Kolkata Gazette. All other provisions and terms specified in the original policy (Notification No. 3816-LP dated 28.12.2019) shall remain in force."

The state government's decision to permit the use of 30 per cent of tea land for commercial purposes has faced fierce opposition from trade unions affiliated with opposition parties. The backlash began after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced the plan and the Gazette notification on 7 February 2025.

The Joint Forum, a coalition of over 32 trade unions linked to the tea plantation industry, has been at the forefront of the protests. Notably, even a section of INTTUC leaders, backed by the ruling Trinamul Congress (TMC), expressed discontent and urged the party's high command to reconsider the decision.