Tea producers protest against PAN-India auction system

Siliguri (WB), May 12 (ANI): After the inauguration of PAN-India system by the Tea Board of India in Kolkata yesterday, the tea traders suspended tea auction at Siliguri auction centre under Darjeeling district of West-Bengal for an indefinite period. According to Siliguri Tea Traders Association (STTA), Tea Board of India (TBI) charges 0.2 paisa per kg of tea extra on the buyer body, rupees 28 per transaction, allowed only one bank for payment gateway and not allowed any proxy during any transaction which can finish small buyers in future from the tea industry. Protesting against the system, more than 200 tea traders of Siliguri have not taken part in the auction and given ultimatum to the Indian Tea Board to solve the crisis.