This document summarizes the Indian government's response to questions regarding support for Darjeeling tea gardens, posed in Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4166 on August 19, 2025. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, through the Tea Board, is currently implementing the Tea Development and Promotion Scheme, which provides assistance for uprooting and replanting old tea bushes across India, with preference given to Darjeeling tea gardens that meet specified criteria. The minimum area condition for replantation in Darjeeling has been relaxed from 4 hectares to 1 hectare. Rejuvenation pruning is not currently included in this scheme. To monitor the scheme's implementation, the Tea Board has established a Scheme Coordination and Monitoring Committee (SCMC) and appointed nodal officers. The SCMC meets monthly to review physical and financial progress. Services related to the scheme are accessible online through the "ServicePlus" portal.
Key Entities Referenced
SHRI JITIN PRASADA: The Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Scheme Coordination and Monitoring Committee SCMC: A committee formed by the Tea Board to monitor the implementation and progress of the Tea Development and Promotion Scheme.
ServicePlus: An online portal used to provide services for the implementation of various subcomponents of the Tea Development and Promotion Scheme.
Ministry of Commerce and Industry: The Indian government ministry responsible for international trade and industry.
Darjeeling Tea Gardens: Tea gardens located in the Darjeeling Hills area, known for producing Darjeeling tea.
Tea Board: A government organization responsible for the development and promotion of the tea industry in India.
Tea Development and Promotion Scheme: A scheme implemented by the Tea Board to provide assistance for various aspects of tea cultivation, including uprooting and replantation.
Darjeeling Hills: The hilly region in West Bengal, India, where Darjeeling tea is cultivated. Preference is given to tea gardens located here under the Tea Development and Promotion Scheme.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4166
ANSWERED ON 19/08/2025
DARJEELING TEA GARDENS
4166. MR PATHAN YUSUF
Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री) be pleased to
state:
(a) whether the Government is considering a special package exclusively for Darjeeling tea
gardens to support uprooting, replanting and rejuvenation pruning, if so, the details
thereof;
(b) whether most tea gardens in Darjeeling Hills have been unable to access the uprooting
and replanting scheme introduced in 2014 and the condition be reviewed to make it more
inclusive, if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government reinstate the subsidy scheme of rejuvenation pruning that was
discontinued in 2019, considering its importance for the sustainability of Darjeeling tea
gardens, if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether the Tea Board will ensure proper monitoring and simplified implementation of
any revived or new schemes so that small and medium sized gardens can benefit, if so,
the details thereof?
ANSWER
वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्यमंत्री (श्री णिणिन प्रसाद)
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(SHRI JITIN PRASADA)
(a) to (c): Government of India, through Tea Board, is currently implementing the scheme ‘Tea
Development and Promotion Scheme’, under which assistance is being provided for uprooting
& re-plantation of old and senile tea bushes, throughout the country, including in Darjeeling.
Under the replantation component of this scheme, preference is given to tea gardens located in
Darjeeling Hills which fulfill all other criteria. In addition, the minimum area condition for
replantation of 4 hectare has been relaxed for Darjeeling hills to 1 hectare. Rejuvenation pruning
is currently not a part of the above scheme.
(d): Tea Board has formed a Scheme Co-ordination and Monitoring Committee (SC&MC) &
Steering Committee for monitoring the implementation and progress of the scheme. Further,
nodal officers have been appointed by Tea Board for various components/sub-components of
the scheme. The SC&MC meets on monthly basis to oversee the implementation of the scheme
and to review the physical and financial progress. Further, the services for implementation of
the various sub-components of the scheme are provided through online mode at "ServicePlus"
portal.
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