Govt clears Rs 1,425 cr scheme for tea promotion

New Delhi: Government Wednesday approved the proposal for implementation of the 'Tea Development and Promotion Scheme' with an outlay of Rs 1,425 crore during the the 12th Plan period (2012-17).

The scheme is aimed at supporting development of improved varieties and technologies for increasing production, productivity and quality of tea, an official statement said.

It also aims at promoting Indian tea in the overseas and domestic markets, it said.

As per the scheme, Rs 400 crore will be spent on plantation development, Rs 350 crore on quality up-gradation and product diversification, Rs 200 crore on market promotion and Rs 150 crore on research and development, among others.

In another decision, the government approved the inclusion of all North Eastern States for setting up food processing units within the Sub scheme of the Integrated Mission for Development of Horticulture (MIDH).

The total expenditure of Rs 16,840 crore has been envisaged for implementing MIDH during the 12th Plan. This includes Rs 15,794 crore as centre's share out of which Rs 3,000 crore is for the Horticulture Mission for North East & Himalayan States (HMNEH) sub scheme.

Now, the North Eastern States, which are horticulturally rich, will be able to take up projects on food processing industries, thus enabling better shelf life and value addition of produce.